HC Deb 18 April 1956 vol 551 cc981-2
4. Mr. Jay

asked the Minister of Defence what progress has been made in the negotiations with the Government of Western Germany on the cost of British troops in that country during the present financial year.

7. Mr. Warbey

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will make a statement on the negotiations with the German Federal Government on a German contribution to the cost of maintaining British Forces in Germany.

8. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Defence whether, in view of the West German Government's refusal to pay the cost, as was anticipated under the Paris Agreements, British troops in Germany will be withdrawn.

Mr. Birch

I have been asked to reply.

As negotiations on this matter are in progress I should prefer to make no statement for the present.

Mr. Jay

Will the Government represent very strongly to the German Government that the British taxpayer really cannot be asked to take on a large part of this burden at a time when Germany is still unable to defend itself, and when direct taxation is lower in Germany than it is here?

Mr. Birch

Our case will certainly be forcefully put.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is it not clear that we have once again been diddled by the Germans, against whom we have no legal claim because of the slovenly wording of the Paris Agreements? Has not the time come to cut our losses for the sake of the British taxpayer, and let the Germans defend themselves?

Mr. Warbey

As the Germans clearly will not have a large army for several years, and as they have practically stopped paying for British forces, can the right hon. Member say what has happened to the much-vaunted benefits of the Paris Agreements?

Mr. Jay

Is the £50 million contribution, for which I understand we have asked the Germans, included in the Budget estimates which the Chancellor presented to us yesterday? If it is, what hope is there of realising it?

Mr. Birch

I should want notice of that question.

Mr. Stokes

I want to pursue that point. Can the Minister confirm the statement made in that eminently Tory newspaper, the Financial Times, to the effect that the Germans have a reserve of £350 million which they have saved in past years upon their anticipated costs of occupation? Is that money still available? If so, why should not the German Government be pressed to release it, in order to pay a subsidy towards the cost of our troops?

Mr. Birch

The Germans are being pressed to fulfil their obligations.