§ 14. Mr. Warbeyasked the Lord Privy Seal what decisions have been reached in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation regarding the construction of bomber bases in the Spitsbergen archipelago.
§ Mr. WarbeyIs the Lord Privy Seal aware that the Norwegian Government in a recent Note to the Soviet Government had to admit that last year surveys were carried out by an American-financed expedition with a view to the construction of aerodromes in the Spitsbergen islands; and that this was done without the knowledge of the Norwegian Government and contrary to its policy and to the Spitsbergen Treaty of 1921? Is not this a deplorable example of the way in which the Americans can implicate their N.A.T.O. allies in matters which might have very dangerous repercussions?
§ Mr. HeathAs soon as the Norwegian Government heard of these incidents it recalled the expedition, and it has stated quite clearly that it has no intention of constructing airfields on Spitsbergen.