§ 59. Mr. Shinwellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on the subject of the provision of nuclear weapons by Western Germany.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreUnder the terms of the Revised Brussels Treaty, the Federal Republic of Germany undertook not to manufacture nuclear weapons. That undertaking still stands.
Her Majesty's Government's policy on the provision of such weapons for German forces has been explained fully both by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and by my right hon. and learned Friend. I would refer the right hon. Member in particular to the Answer given to the right hon. Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. Bevan) on 2nd December, 1958.
I would add that the decision on this matter was taken by the N.A.T.O. Council meeting at Head of Government level as long ago as December, 1957.
§ Mr. ShinwellThat is all very well, but is it not a fact that the West German Federal Government are now to be provided, under the terms of the revised Treaty, with weapons of nuclear capability, and is that not altogether foreign to the policy previously declared by Her Majesty's Government and supported 100 per cent. by this side of the House? Is that not the position? Why this change? Can we trust the Germans with weapons of this character?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe position has been the same for a very long time, namely, that they would have weapons which might have nuclear capability if they had nuclear warheads. But there is no question of nuclear warheads being handed over to the German armed forces.
§ Mr. GaitskellAre not some of the weapons which it is suggested should now be made available to Germany of such considerable range and of such a character that they would not be used except with nuclear warheads?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe main point is that the nuclear warheads would be under the control of the United States.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhat is the use of quibbling on this fact? Why do not the Government come clean about this matter? What have they to conceal? Is it not obvious that if the West German Government are provided with missiles capable of a range of 60, 70 or even 100 miles, as is the position at present, they would have no value whatever without nuclear warheads? What is the purpose unless it is intended to provide warheads? Why do the Government maintain that the control is vested not in the German Government but in some other authority? How do they know that the Germans will not use them without any consultation?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI do not think it is a quibble to say that the nuclear warheads would not be under the control of the German armed forces but would be under the control of the United States Administration. It is a policy which has been discussed before in this House, but as I understand there will be an opportunity of discussing it again, probably next week, I think that would be the best time to do so.