HC Deb 12 November 1958 vol 595 cc383-4
45. Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Defence whether he has now considered Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery's recent lecture to the Royal United Service Institution; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Sandys

I read Field Marshal Montgomery's lecture with great interest. As I expected, I found it both stimulating and controversial.

Mr. Wigg

Will the Minister do the House the courtesy of treating seriously what Lord Montgomery has had to say, and will he make a statement to the House as to whether he agrees or disagrees with Lord Montgomery? [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] Will he be good enough to say whether he agrees or disagrees with Field Marshal Montgomery's view that we require efficient conventional forces, properly equipped; and whether we are not a long way short of that objective at the present time?

Mr. Sandys

Naturally, I have great respect and affection for Field Marshal Montgomery, but I do not propose to comment upon his views. That is a danger area into which I do not propose to be lured.

Mr. de Freitas

Surely, the Government can say something about the Field Marshal's criticisms of the organisation and staffing at N.A.T.O.—

Hon. Members

Why?

Mr. Sandys

The Field Marshal made it quite clear that he was expressing his own personal views, and the Goverment are not called upon to comment upon them. On the other hand, the hon. Member may be quite sure that any remarks, or criticisms, or advice that may be expressed by some one so distinguished and with such great experience will, obviously, receive the most careful attention.

Mr. G. Brown

Will the Minister say whether Field Marshal Montgomery's criticisms of N.A.T.O., about which he must know, are confirmed by the reports that the Minister has been receiving from his own military mission at S.H.A.P.E.?

Mr. Sandys

Any reports that I receive from military—not military missions, but members of the staff at S.H.A.P.E., are, of course, wholly confidential. But I am glad of this opportunity to say, once again, in the light of these criticisms, that Her Majesty's Government have the very fullest confidence in the civil and military authorities of N.A.T.O. At the same time, of course, we shall continue, with our allies, within the limits of what is possible with a grand alliance of this kind —which has very serious limitations—to do what we can to make the Organisation as simple and as efficient for its task as possible.

Mr. G. Brown

With respect, that was not the question I asked—[Interruption.] —I think that I am entitled to get an answer to what I did ask. The Minister may have misunderstood me. Apart from the members of the staff at S.H.A.P.E., there is a British liaison mission. Has that been reporting over the years that the Organisation is as cumbersome, as bureaucratic, and as impossible to operate as Field Marshal Montgomery has said it is?

Mr. Sandys

No, Sir.