§ 79. Mr. Fernyhoughasked the Minister of Defence what contribution the Federal German Government will make in the forthcoming year towards the cost of maintaining British Forces in Germany.
§ Mr. John HareI have been asked to reply.
We have asked the North Atlantic Council to review the financial conditions on which United Kingdom Forces are maintained on the mainland of Europe. In doing so, we have acted in accordance with the Paris Agreements of 1954 and with the procedure established by the North Atlantic Council. My right hon. Friend has no further statement to make at present.
§ Mr. FernyhoughCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the negotiations this year are likely to be more successful than they were last year? Does not he think that in view of the cost to the British taxpayer, in hard currency; of the prosperity of Germany, and of the near insolvency of this country under the present Administration, it is very necessary that we should be tough in these negotiations and extract at least the full amount in the way of support costs?
§ Mr. HareI would say that we should naturally welcome a further contribution of mutual aid from our German partners in N.A.T.O., but I do not think that any good would be served by going into further details at this juncture.