§ 47. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has received from the West German Government to the effect that Britain should pay substantially all the cost of maintaining British Forces in Germany after next July; and what reply he has made to these representations.
§ Mr. EdenNone, Sir. In view, however, of a public statement by the German Federal Finance Minister that no German contribution would be made after 1st July, 1953, to the cost of Allied troops stationed in Germany, the Allied High Commission has recently reminded the German Federal Chancellor that the amount of assistance to be provided for the support of Allied forces after 1st July, 1953, remains to be negotiated, on the assumption that the Conventions and the European Defence Community Treaty will have come into force by that date. Until they do, the local costs of our Forces in Germany will continue to be met by the Federal Government as Occupation Costs.
§ Mr. FletcherDoes that mean that whether the present plans for German rearmament under treaties which have not yet been ratified go forward or not, the Government will do their best to obtain a maximum contribution from Germany for the maintenance of our Forces there?
§ Mr. EdenIt means that, until the agreements are ratified, matters will go on as they have been going on up to date and after the ratification of the treaty there will be discussions about the contributions which are to be made.