HC Deb 15 February 1961 vol 634 cc1384-5
14. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Lord Privy Seal if Western Germany has yet ratified the Western European Union Armaments Control Agency Convention enabling the Agency to make surprise visits to private armaments factories.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. J. B. Godber)

No, Sir. Only the United Kingdom has so far ratified this Convention.

Mr. Allaun

Is not that an appalling admission? Does it not mean that three years after signing, but not ratifying, the Convention the West Germans could be secretly manufacturing atomic and other forbidden arms and that the safeguards of the existing supposed control of German arms production will be worthless?

Mr. Gadber

I do not agree. There are complications, and the fact that none of the other countries involved, apart from this country, has ratified is significant. There are legal complications. I am as anxious as the hon. Gentleman is to see that ratification is completed as soon as possible. We have shown our desire by our own ratification. I hope that not only Western Germany but the other countries concerned will ratify as soon as possible.

Mr. Gaitskell

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that that is not a very convincing explanation of why the Convention has not been ratified? Can he not tell us a little more? If there are legal difficulties, Why were they not anticipated and why did they not obstruct the decision of Her Majesty's Government to ratify?

Mr. Godber

On the last point, we do not have to have inspections. It is therefore a relatively simple matter for us to ratify. All the countries on the Continent must allow for the legal right of entry, and they have to cover such possible contingencies as damage which might occur in inspection under those circumstances. We understand that all the countries concerned are taking steps to bring in the necessary legislation, but none of it has yet materialised.

Mr. Gaitskell

Can we be assured that the difficulties are technical and legal and not in any sense political? If so, can the hon. Gentleman say when ratification is likely to take place?

Mr. Godber

I give the assurance that, as far as we are aware, the difficulties are purely technical. Obviously, I am not in a position to say when ratification will take place, because we have not full control over these matters in any of the countries involved. However, the right hon. Gentleman's points will be borne very fully in mind.

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