HC Deb 06 July 1955 vol 543 cc1125-6
47. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Minister of Defence when he expects to be in a position to inform the House of the Government's survey of defence strategy and tactics; and whether he is prepared to issue a White Paper setting forth the Government's conclusions.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I cannot add to what I said last week on this subject.

Mr. Bellenger

Is not the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that unless the House gets early information on the changes that are likely to take place, which will have a considerable effect on Service Estimates, to say nothing about manpower estimates, Parliament is not in a position to judge of the demands of the Government when they are made? Cannot the right hon. and learned Gentleman be a little more forthcoming with the House in what is a very serious matter?

Mr. Lloyd

I agree with the right hon. Gentleman as to the seriousness of this matter. Of course, there is a pattern on which these matters are discussed by the House. The Defence White Paper was a very full one, and it indicated the lines along which the Government are thinking. I agree, however, that new problems are presented to us all the time. I have told the right hon. Gentleman that they are being seriously considered, and all I can add is that if a statement can usefully be made to the House—and I appreciate his point about the advantage that would be to hon. Members commenting on the Estimates and future defence plans—I will try to make one.

Mr. Shinwell

Does that mean that the right hon. and learned Gentleman does not intend to make a statement on this subject until the White Paper is presented to the House? Could he not make an interim statement before the Summer Recess, so that we might have some knowledge of the intentions of the Government?

Mr. Lloyd

I can give no promise of a statement before the Recess; in fact, I should think that extremely unlikely. I am sympathetic to the points put forward by both right hon. Gentlemen, and if, before the Service Estimates are considered, we can usefully do this, I will certainly try to do it.