HC Deb 17 May 1954 vol 527 cc1675-7
11. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the monthly quota of occupation costs to which Her Majesty's Government are entitled from the Federal German Re public; and how much of this quota has been taken up in recent months.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

Occupation costs, which are provided for all the Allied Powers, amount to DM. 600 million— about £50 million—a month. Within this total the allocations made by the Allied High Commission to the various Powers are confidential. In the case of Her Majesty's Government, they meet British requirements and are fully taken up.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman say to what extent the 600 million marks monthly is not being taken up jointly by the Allied Powers?

Mr. Lloyd

So far as I know, it is being fully taken up. Certainly the British quota is being fully taken up.

12. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what negotiations are being conducted with the Federal German Republic with a view to ending the payment of occupation costs in respect of British troops in Germany.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

None, Sir.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the present arrangement comes to an end in a few weeks' time? What is being done to provide for the future and to ensure that the British taxpayer shall not find himself saddled with an obligation of another £100 million a year as from 1st July next?

Mr. Lloyd

That is a rather different question from the precise form of words in the Question on the Order Paper, which I have answered. Negotiations are proceeding with regard to the total de-fence contribution after the coming into force of the E.D.C. agreement.

Mr. E. Fletcher

May we take it from what the Minister of State has said that there will be no reduction in the German contribution to British Government costs until the Bonn Treaties have been ratified by all the necessary countries?

Mr. Lloyd

I should like to have notice of that question.

Mr. Jay

How soon can the Minister give the House some information about the way in which this very large item of expenditure is to be borne?

Mr. Lloyd

The first question is to see whether there is another period after 30th June this year.