§ 41. Mr. Fletcherasked the Minister of Defence, in view of the widespread feeling against permitting any part of the United Kingdom to be used for the training of German military or air forces, if he will give an assurance that no such arrangements will be made without prior authority of Parliament.
§ Mr. WatkinsonAs the House is aware, a small number of German officers and other ranks are already under training in this country. In the event of any major change in the scope of the arrangements, I should in any case inform the House.
§ Mr. FletcherI am obliged to the Minister for that answer. He will appreciate that when the treaty arrangements were made under which Germany was admitted to N.A.T.O. it was never contemplated that German troops would be trained in this country. This is a matter on which the House ought to be consulted before any major arrangements are made.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI have already said that I will certainly keep the House informed when any major change is contemplated.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesHas the Minister ever had any conversations with the defence authorities in France to find out whether the French are prepared to have German bases on their soil? Will he take advantage of the visit of President de Gaulle to ask him whether German troops will be stationed there too?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI cannot undertake to do that, because I hope to leave for the N.A.T.O. Defence Ministers' meeting in 10 minutes' time.