HC Deb 15 February 1954 vol 523 c1640
36. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will invite the countries overrun or attacked by Germany in the last war to express their views on the proposed re-armament of Germany.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

No, Sir.

Mr. Warbey

In that case will the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that there are millions of people in Europe and in this country, too, who have suffered from the effects of German aggression in the past, who are opposed to re-armament, and that there are millions of Germans, too, who do not want to re-arm? Why insist upon thrusting upon them something that nobody wants except Dr. Adenauer and Mr. Dulles?

Mr. Lloyd

When the hon. Gentleman says "nobody wants except Dr. Adenauer," he should remember that Dr. Adenauer had emphatic endorsement of his policy by a very large majority of the people of the Federal Republic. So far as these other countries are concerned, of course they would, if they were signatories to any peace treaty entered into, have the opportunity to express their opinion then.