§ 6. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Her Majesty's Government, as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, assented to the Commander-in-Chief of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, General Norstad, publicly demanding tactical nuclear weapons for Western Germany.
§ 19. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Her Majesty's Government, as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, assented to the statement by General Norstad that the equipment of the Bundeswehr with tactical nuclear weapons was indispensable.
§ Mr. Ian HarveyThe assent of Her Majesty's Government was not required.
§ Mr. ZilliacusIs it not a fact this statement of General Norstad cuts right across the Rapacki Plan which is a matter for consideration by the Summit Conference, and is it not highly undesirable that the N.A.T.O. Commander 896 should be allowed publicly to take a line contrary in a matter for decision by Government members of N.A.T.O.?
§ Mr. HarveyThe decisions of the N.A.T.O. Commander are subject, of course, to N.A.T.O. In a matter of this kind, it is quite impracticable to clear speeches of this kind before they are made.
§ Mr. AllaunIs the Joint Under-Secretary of State aware that according to a recent poll eight out of 10 Germans, and surely a higher proportion of the British people, are against giving nuclear weapons to the German army, and will not this kill the Rapacki Plan and the hope of peace in Europe even before the Governments have a chance to discuss it?
§ Mr. HarveyAny discussions between the Supreme Commander and the Governments of N.A.T.O. are a matter between him and those Governments. As to the hon. Gentleman's second point, I think that has no bearing upon it at all.
§ Mr. BevanThe hon. Member will be aware that this speech by General Norstad did, in fact, alarm quite a number of people. Is N.A.T.O. an abstract organisation for which we have no governmental responsibility at all?
§ Mr. HarveyIf the speech by General Norstad alarmed a number of people, it is not the first speech which has alarmed a large number of people.
§ Mr. HarveyThe right hon. Gentleman knows to what I am referring. He knows also that decisions about speeches by the Supreme Commander can be reached by consultation within N.A.T.O., and if the matter arises I have no doubt it will be discussed.
§ Mr. BevanWill the hon. Member inform the House that the Government will take the responsibility of raising the matter at N.A.T.O.? How can it be raised at N.A.T.O. if nobody raises it?
§ Mr. HarveyWe are not nobody.