§ 8. Mr. Pagetasked the Minister of Defence the consequences for British naval defence policy of the recent announcement by General de Gaulle that the French Navy would not be placed under the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Command in peace or in war; and what consideration is being given by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Defence Ministers concerning the consequences for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingI have been asked to reply.
The French Government's decision does not affect British naval defence policy. As the matter is under discussion in N.A.T.O., I would prefer to make no further statement.
§ Mr. PagetBroadly speaking, is the answer that this makes practically no difference at all and affects only a very small proportion of even the French Fleet?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingI think that it is true to say that the difference is not very great. Perhaps to some extent it is a psychological difference. In hardware, one-third of the French Mediterraean Fleet was committed to N.A.T.O. and that has been affected by this decision, but the French contribution to SACLANT and to the Channel Command has not in any way been affected by this decision.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the hon. Gentleman aware that General Norstad has made a statement on this matter and that a copy of it is in my possession? No doubt there is a copy also in the hon. Gentleman's possession. If General Norstad has made a statement, why cannot the Government make one?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingI was answering the Question on the Order Paper and not a question concerning General Norstad.