HC Deb 03 June 1959 vol 606 c188
36. Mr. Healey

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent he has discussed with the German Minister of Defence the military feasibility of a zone of limited armament in Europe.

The Minister of Defence (Mr. Duncan Sandys)

I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of the joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of my talks with the German Minister of Defence.

Mr. Healey

Can the Minister tell us now whether he agrees with the view expressed by the German Minister of Defence on 8th May, and confirmed by the Commander of the American Forces in Europe, that there was no purely military argument against disengagement in Central Europe?

Mr. Sandys

That is a very much wider issue.

Hon. Members

Answer.

Following is the communiqué: Herr Franz Josef Strauss, the Minister of Defence of the Federal German Republic, has just concluded a four-day visit to this country during which he had several discussions with Mr. Duncan Sandys. He saw something of British military installations and equipment both on the ground and in the air, at the Fighting Vehicles Research and Development Establishment at Chobham and the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough. He also visited the R.A.F. Fighter Station at Wattisham where he saw a display of Hunters and Javelins and the R.A.F. Station at North Coates, Lincolnshire, where the surface-to-air guided weapon Bloodhound is deployed. Herr Strauss also visited an artillery demonstration at Larkhill Ranges on Salisbury Plain. During their discussions the two Ministers reviewed the progress of co-operation in the supply of armaments, both through N.A.T.O. and bilateral channels. Both Ministers reaffirmed their support for the N.A.T.O. policy of inter-dependence in this field and their determination to give effect to it as extensively and speedily as possible. In particular Herr Strauss and Mr. Sandys agreed:
  1. (1) that there should be a full exchange of technical information on the tanks at present under development in the two countries and that each should make prototypes available to the other for test and study, with the aim of evolving common solutions to the tactical and technical problems of development and production;
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  2. (2) that, subject to further study the two countries would endeavour to agree on the adoption of a standardised family of light tracked military vehicles;
  3. (3) that, subject to further discussion of the technical issues involved, the two countries should co-operate in the development of advanced anti-tank guided weapons and that other countries already engaged in this type of work should be invited to associate themselves with this effort.
 The review also extended to other subjects under examination in the expert committees, including the problems of defence against low-flying aircraft, submarine construction, naval gas turbines and propulsion methods, hydrofoil boats, torpedoes, motor boats, rocket mortars, amphibious vehicles, engineer equipment, parachute dropping equipment and ground surveillance radar. The two Ministers agreed that the Anglo-German Steering Committee on Armament Co-operation should report to them, at regular intervals, and should be given further directions in the light of these reports. The Ministers also discussed the problems of disarmament and European security against the background of the Foreign Ministers' meeting in Geneva. During the course of the visit Herr Strauss called on the Prime Minister at No. 10 Downing Street.