§ 6. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Defence what discussions have taken place on the control and use of British air forces in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and what further units of our Air Force in the west it has now been agreed should be placed under the command of General Gruenther in peace or in the event of war.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydThe best use of the British forces in N.A.T.O. is the subject of close and continuous consultation with the authorities concerned. There have been no special recent discussions on the subject to which the right hon. Gentleman refers. No further forces have been allocated to General Gruenther.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs not it an unwise policy to, in a sense, divorce our Air Force from the N.A.T.O. command; and in view of the difficulties that beset the French because of the situation in North Africa, and 2282 the consequent weakening of N.A.T.O. and our security, would not it be desirable to integrate our Air Force with the N.A.T.O. command more directly?
§ Mr. LloydThe right hon. Gentleman talks of divorcing our Air Force from the N.A.T.O. command. Of course, certainly nothing of the sort is contemplated. The Question refers to placing units of our air forces actually "under the command." I entirely agree with the right hon. Gentleman that co-ordination is exceedingly important, and they must operate in the closest association.
§ 9. Mr. Bellengerasked the Minister of Defence what has been the effect of the withdrawal of French troops from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation command in Europe for service in North Africa.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydThe French ground forces at present available in Europe to General Gruenther have undoubtedly been weakened by the withdrawal of units to North Africa; on the other hand, Her Majesty's Government recognise the importance to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation of ensuring the stability of French North Africa.
§ Mr. BellengerCould the right hon. and learned Gentleman inform the House what first-line French forces have been withdrawn from N.A.T.O., and does he recollect that under the Paris Agreements the best part of the British armoured forces are committed to Germany because of French insistence, and if France withdraws her own forces what will be the effect on our British forces there? Does it not mean that British forces will be carrying the greater burden?
§ Mr. LloydIt cannot be denied that the N.A.T.O. position in Europe is weakened by the withdrawl of French forces. I would prefer the right hon. Gentleman to put down a Question about numbers.
§ Mr. ShinwellBut in those circumstances, while I would agree with the right hon. and learned Gentleman and with my right hon. Friend, is it not desirable, because of the weakening of the N.A.T.O. position in respect of land forces owing to the withdrawal of French troops, that we should now place at the disposal of General Gruenther the alternative of efficient and effective air forces?
§ Mr. LloydWe have every intention that our air forces should work in association with the N.A.T.O. air forces in our air defence, and so far as the bomber force is concerned. That is not quite the same thing as putting them under command.