HC Deb 17 June 1959 vol 607 c435
37. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the expenditure incurred on the celebrations and conferences in conection with the 10 years anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Mr. R. Allan

I am afraid that I cannot give a figure for expenditure by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on the Tenth Anniversary. The expenses of the Atlantic Congress held in this country were not met from official funds. A small sum was spent by Her Majesty's Government on entertaining the delegates to this Congress.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the hon. Gentleman say what it was celebrating? Was it the strength of N.A.T.O. or its undoubted weakness? Why all this ballyhoo about the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation? Would it not be wiser if the Foreign Secretary or the Minister of Defence or somebody on the Government Front Bench told us about the content of N.A.T.O., the original purpose of N.A.T.O., and whether it is really worthwhile?

Mr. Allan

I think that N.A.T.O. is widely supported by all parties in the country.