HC Deb 30 May 1956 vol 553 cc223-4
27. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Minister of Defence what arms are being supplied to Western Germany from the United Kingdom.

The Minister of Defence (Sir Walter Monckton)

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister informed the right hon. Gentleman on 24th April, Her Majesty's Government do not intend to depart from the normal practice of refusing to disclose details of current exports of military equipment to foreign countries.

Mr. Shinwell

In view of that answer, would the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether any arms have been sent to Western Germany? Surely he can answer that. At the same time, if arms have been sent, as I suspect that they have, and as he well knows, would he tell us whether Western Germany is paying for them and if an arrangement was made for them to be sent before a financial agreement was reached about the cost of our troops in Western Germany?

Sir W. Monckton

That is another question. The moment one starts answering the Question one starts to deviate from the principle, and I see no advantage in that.

Mr. Shinwell

The right hon. and learned Gentleman surely misunderstood the point I was making. The question whether arms have been sent to foreign countries has been answered in the House. For example, an answer has been given about whether arms have been sent to Egypt. I want to know whether arms have been sent to Western Germany. Reports have appeared in the Press that the United States has sent arms to Germany, and surely he can say whether we have done the same.

Sir W. Monckton

The question that I have been asked to answer is "what arms?" and that is the Question that I cannot answer. If the right hon. Gentleman chooses to put down the other question, I will consider it.

Mr. Shinwell

On a point of order. It so happens that the Question I originally sought to address to the right hon. and learned Gentleman was framed in this fashion: "whether arms have been sent to Germany," and I was advised by the Clerk at the Table that it would be better to substitute the word "what".

Mr. Speaker

I must look into that. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will now ask Question No. 28.