HC Deb 07 February 1955 vol 536 c1525
11. Mr. Parkin

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when it was decided, as announced by a Foreign Office spokesman to the French Government at Christmas, that Her Majesty's Government would feel free to withdraw British troops from Germany In the event of the French Parliament failing to ratify the Paris Agreements.

Mr. Turton

The Foreign Office statement of 24th December did not say that Her Majesty's Government would feel free to withdraw British troops from Germany in the event of the French Parliament failing to ratify the Paris Agreements. The question, therefore, does not arise.

Mr. Parkin

Would the Minister agree that it is most unfortunate that Press reports should give the impression that the policy of Her Majesty's Government in agreeing to British troops in Germany was solely concerned with defending the French against the Germans?

Mr. Turton

The papers I read carried the Foreign Office statement quite accurately.

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