HC Deb 15 July 1953 vol 517 cc2057-8
48. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Prime Minister what action he proposes to take, in view of General Ridgway's official warning on handing over command of the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers in Europe, against what he described as the now developing tendencies towards relaxation of our collective effort and towards the loss of military momentum within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The views of Her Majesty's Government are well expressed in the following quotation from the communiqué issued yesterday following the meeting of Foreign Ministers in Washington: They [the Ministers] have emphasised their resolve to continue the common defence effort necessary to redress the present lack of balance of power and thus to contribute to collective security and to the maintenance of international peace. The Ministers reaffirmed that the North Atlantic alliance is fundamental to the foreign and defence policies of the three Governments.

Mr. Wyatt

Is not the Chancellor of the Exchequer ashamed to be even acting-Prime Minister of a Government which has to be censured by General Ridgway and General Gruenther on failure to take the necessary steps to maintain military momentum within this N.A.T.O. alliance? In particular, the failure is to take the initiative over the European Army, in respect of which the present Government made a number of pledges before they came into office.

Mr. Butler

So far as I am concerned, in whatever modest capacity I have to serve, I am not ashamed to serve this Government in any way. Secondly, these statements were made by General Ridgway himself. Thirdly, having attended the last N.A.T.O. Conference myself to represent the United Kingdom, I was immensely inspired by the combined resolution of the nations present to pursue their defence efforts to their maximum capacity.

Mr. Wyatt

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Labour Government did far more for the defence of Europe than has the Conservative Government—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]— and never had to be censured by the Commander of N.A.T.O.?

Mr. Speaker

Order. This must be a matter of opinion and debate for next week.

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