§ 45. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister to what extent during his recent conversations with Dr. Adenauer he discussed the possibility of providing bases for the German Army and facilities for training the Luftwaffe in Great Britain.
§ The Prime MinisterI have had no conversations with Dr. Adenauer since November last year. On the subject matter of those talks I have nothing to add to what I told the House on 24th November.
§ Mr. HughesWill the Prime Minister tell us the Government's policy about allowing German soldiers and the German Luftwaffe to have bases in this country? Is he aware that there is a considerable lack of enthusiasm for this? In his conversations with General de Gaulle, will the right hon. Gentleman suggest that the Germans should have their bases in France?
§ The Prime MinisterThere are two Questions on this point on the Order Paper addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence. Perhaps I may say, however, that the question of certain storage and other facilities has been raised. No specific proposals have been put forward. As the House knows, we provide training of one sort or another to a small number of German officers and other ranks. We have offered to all N.A.T.O. countries, including Germany, use of the Hebridean range for missile firing practice.
§ Mr. WoodburnIf the decision is taken that Germany shall come into the Highlands with the Luftwaffe, will the Prime Minister arrange as a corollary the introduction of industry into the Highlands alongside the Air Ministry, in order to provide the industry which the Government so far have not been able to provide?