§ 32. Mr. Shinwellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the official proposal by the United States of America that the European nations associated with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Should pay a larger contribution to the expenditure incurred by that organisation will entail an increased contribution from the United Kingdom; and how much.
§ Mr. ProfumoI presume the right hon. Gentleman is referring to Press reports that proposals for increased national contributions to the common defence effort were to be made at the meeting of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Ministers of Defence last week. Since proceedings in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation are secret, I cannot say anything about that meeting beyond what was contained in the communiqué and the replies which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence has just given.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that statements have appeared in the American Press, and have been covered by the United Kingdom Press, to the effect that the United States is demanding that all the countries associated with N.A.T.O. in Europe should pay an increased contribution? Does the right hon. Gentleman 393 say that this is incorrect? May we have an assurance that if the United Kingdom is to be asked to pay an additional contribution, the House will be consulted before a decision is reached?
§ Mr. ProfumoI cannot answer the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, because it is hypothetical to the extent that I am not able to state what happened at the meeting any further than my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence has done. I have answered the Question. If the right hon. Gentleman wants to know something about defence expenditure, he will have to put that Question down to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence.