§ 48. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether, in replying to Mr. Bulganin's most recent letter, he will make it clear that Her Majesty's Government supports the reduction of the armed forces of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United States of America, France and the United Kingdom now stationed in Germany to an agreed level of equality.
§ 50. Mr. V. Yatesasked the Prime Minister if he has considered the letter recently sent to him by Mr. Bulganin regarding a new approach to disarmament by the Soviet Government; and what action he proposes to take.
§ The Prime MinisterMr. Bulganin's letter of 6th June to me is under consideration. The matters which it raises concern not only this country but also our Allies. I shall not be able to make any further statement until the reply is delivered.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it not a fact that the four Governments referred to in the Question are keeping over 32 divisions stationed in Germany? In view of the existence of what the Prime Minister yesterday called the "ultimate deterrent," does he not consider the time has now arrived when there should be substantial reductions in the number of divisions and in the amount of manpower at present tied up as a result of these dispositions in Germany?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that the right hon. and learned Gentleman's figure is far in excess of the facts, because I think it is true that at the moment Soviet forces in East Germany are in excess of the Western forces in West Germany. As I think we have all shown, we all recognise that there are new strategic elements in the situation where the deterrent power is so great. We are alive to that, and are discussing those problems with our Allies, but we want to treat this in such a manner as not in any way to jeopardise the alliances that exist and that we have to keep in mind.
§ Mr. GaitskellIn any discussion on this subject with our Allies or with the 764 Soviet Union, would the Prime Minister bear in mind the desirability of bringing into the picture the reunification of Germany on the basis of free elections? Would he also bear in mind the desirability of considering what effective controls could be established over the armed forces which remain in Germany?
§ The Prime MinisterI am sure that the right hon. Gentleman would agree that I am not likely to be unmindful of the problem of the reunification of Germany.
§ Mr. V. YatesWould the Prime Minister especially note that the letter from Mr. Bulganin states that the Soviet Government regards their withdrawal of 30,000 troops from Germany as only a first step? Does not the Prime Minister think that if the Government would consider making a very substantial reduction in their armed forces in Germany it would make sure that this was a first step and create a better atmosphere, in which general disarmament could be discussed?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not want to enter into a debate at this time, but it is very arguable as to who makes the first step in these matters. There have been, and there are, very considerable reductions which this country has made in its Armed Forces in general; and they are greatly in excess of the figure here mentioned. What I was saying was that the new situation is one which we shall examine with a desire to secure further progress, if we can.
§ Mr. HendersonIs the Prime Minister aware that the figure of 32 divisions, to which I referred, is based on a reply given to me yesterday by the Minister of Defence, when he stated that there were 22 Russian divisions, 5 American divisions and 4 United Kingdom divisions—and he was unable to say how many French divisions—stationed in Germany at the present time?
§ The Prime MinisterI did not know the right hon. Gentleman was giving the total figure of Russian and Western forces. That is, of course, an interesting way of looking at the problem.