§ 50. Mr. Healeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what communication he has received from the West German Government regarding an amendment to treaty restrictions on the production of certain types of weapons in the Federal Republic.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe Federal German Government have made no communication to Her Majesty's Government. They have, however, applied to the Council of Western European Union for an amendment to be made to the revised Brussels Treaty to entitle them to manufacture guided anti-tank missiles on German territory.
§ Mr. HealeyCan the Minister of State assure the House that the Government will not accede to this request when it comes to be considered by the Council of Western European Union and will make proposals for limiting the number and nature of armaments in Central Europe on both sides of the Iron Curtain, instead of multiplying them in this dangerous and unstable area?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is "No, Sir". I will not give any undertaking what attitude we will take up in the Council. I would point out that the Federal Government are already entitled to manufacture short-range guided missiles for anti-aircraft defence. I think they are being fairly punctilious in asking the Council whether they can make guided missiles for antitank defence which have a range of only 1,500 to 2,000 metres.
§ Mr. BevanIn various situations in which we are faced we are told over and over again by members of the Government that they will not give undertakings about the policy they will follow in international organisations. After decisions 429 have been made we are told, "Of course the decision has been made", and we can do nothing at all. It appears that this House has no influence at all upon the decisions of the Government.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreWe listen to representations such as the right hon. Gentleman has just made, so that we may make our decisions.