HC Deb 20 February 1957 vol 565 cc422-3
33. Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will make a statement about the contribution to be made by the German Federal Government towards the cost of British Forces in Germany.

The Minister of Defence (Mr. Duncan Sandys)

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave last week to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Fernyhough).

Mr. Wigg

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the House will be shortly asked to give a vote on account and to pass Vote A of the Army Estimates? Does he not realise that it is impossible for us to give intelligent consideration to these two matters unless we know the shape, size and cost of our forces in Germany?

Mr. Sandys

Negotiations with the German Government on this subject are not yet complete.

Mr. Wigg

The right hon. Gentleman ought not to ask the House to consider Vote A and the vote on account until we have some information on these subjects.

Mr. Sandys

I hope that the negotiations will be concluded before then, although I cannot say for certain.

Mr. Bellenger

Are these negotiations held up as the result of the discussions now going on to reduce the size of British forces in Germany?

Mr. Sandys

I do not think so.