HC Deb 20 July 1959 vol 609 c872
58. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the terms of the proposed amendment to the Brussels Treaty to permit West Germany to manufacture weapons at present prohibited by the Treaty.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The terms of an amendment are still under consideration.

Mr. Warbey

Will the Minister of State tell the House when the terms are likely to be complete and whether the draft of them will be made available to the House before the amendment is incorporated in the Treaty, and whether the House will have an opportunity to debate any change in the Treaty before it is ratified by Her Majesty's Government?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

That is unlikely. I am afraid that I cannot say when it will be ready, but I can assure the hon. Member that the Amendment when made will not contravene the spirit of the Brussels Treaty since the additional weapons which Germany will be permitted to manufacture will be strictly defensive.

Mr. Shinwell

Does that answer mean that West Germany would not be permitted in any circumstances to manufacture nuclear weapons?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

That is perfectly true. It will not be permitted to manufacture nuclear weapons.