§ 6. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Defence what steps he is taking to secure a revision of the Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement in the light of the difficulties of carrying out its terms.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs not that a very unsatisfactory position? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Government recently violated this Agreement and that the Minister of Defence argued that it was impossible to distinguish between American equipment and British equipment distributed throughout our forces? Does the Minister's Answer therefore mean that the Government now repent of their action in Suez and will not make any independent military intervention again, or does it mean that they propose to disregard the terms of the Agreement?
§ Mr. BirchThe Question asked what steps we are taking to alter an American Act of Parliament. I said, "None."
§ 8. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Defence what is the total value of military assistance received by the United Kingdom under the Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement in the last five years.
§ Mr. BirchI have been asked to reply.
£352 million, excluding equipment produced in the United States, the value of which the United States Government does not publish.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs the Minister not aware that this very considerable quantity of equipment received under this Agreement is supposed, under the Agreement, not to be used without the prior consent of the United States Government; that it has been so used, and that the Agreement was violated by the action at Suez? Do the Government propose to do nothing about this at all?