HC Deb 11 February 1959 vol 599 cc1168-70
19 Mr. Warbey

asked the Minister of Defence (1) what discussions have taken place in the Military Committee of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on the desirability of permitting Germany to construct submarines and other naval vessels in excess of the limits laid down in the Paris agreements;

(2) what discussions have taken place in the Military Committee of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on the desirability of permitting Germany to establish a military base in Denmark;

(3) what discussions have taken place in the Military Committee of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on the desirability of permitting Germany to engage, either alone or in conjunction with other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, in research and experimentation in ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.

Mr. Sandys

The proceedings of the Military Committee of N.A.T.O. are confidential.

Mr. Warbey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he cannot hide behind that, firstly, because these proposals have been fully discussed and disclosed in the Press, and secondly, because the House and the country have a right to know what is the Government's policy in these very serious matters? Are the Government now conniving at the policy of illicitly rebuilding German military power, as their predecessors did in 1935? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that following such a policy today may have disastrous consequences similar to the consequences that followed it in the days of Hitler?

Mr. Sandys

I think the hon. Gentleman is getting worked up about something which really does not exist. The only two amendments to the limitations on German armaments manufacture under the Brussels Treaty that have been made are these—Germany has obtained permission to build a training ship of about 5,000 tons and has been authorised to manufacture guided anti-tank missiles.

Mr. G. Brown

Whilst I understand the Minister's difficulty in telling us in public what discussions are going on in N.A.T.O. and I see his point strongly, nevertheless, if there were any change in respect of the subject matter of these Questions, it would be of considerable interest and importance. If that ever comes about, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will then make a full statement in the House, instead of letting the thing proceed under this cloak of secrecy?

Mr. Sandys

This is really not a live issue. I do not know where the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Warbey) has got these rumours. Without committing any great indiscretion, I think I can tell the House that these matters have not been discussed by the Military Committee.

Mr. G. Brown

Will the Minister accept it from me that at the N.A.T.O. Parliamentarians' Conference in December these subjects were discussed and raised, on the initiative of German delegates from the German Federal Bundeshaus, and, therefore, these are not rumours? These subjects have been discussed. The right hon. Gentleman says that they have not been discussed by Ministers. We are grateful to him, but we wish that he had said that in the first place.

Mr. Warbey

On a point of order. As the Minister has challenged the sources of my information, may I ask whether, if I send him some Press cuttings on the subject,—

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order.