§ 6. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Defence the estimated yearly cost in foreign exchange, of maintaining four British divisions and the Second Tactical Air Force in Germany.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanAbout £70 million to £80 million in a full year.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIn view of the continued weakness of sterling on foreign exchanges, will the right hon. Gentleman keep to a minimum this expenditure which entails a burden of many more millions on the British taxpayer?
§ Mr. MacmillanWe shall do everything to effect all possible economies.
§ 12. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Minister of Defence the estimated additional local cost of maintaining our forces in Germany for 1955–56 and 1956–57, respectively, compared with the cost in 1954–55, based on the assumption that the Paris treaties will be ratified.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanI would refer the hon. Member to the note on financial arrangements contained in Command Paper No. 9304. The precise answer to 1252 his Question depends both on the date of ratification of the Paris Agreements and on the outcome of future negotiations with the Government of the Federal German Republic.
§ Mr. FletcherMay we take it from that reply that steps will be taken by the Government to reduce this additional cost from the figures indicated in the financial note?
§ Mr. MacmillanYes. I tried to explain in the debate some of the methods which we will try to follow.