§ 29. Commander Courtneyasked the Minister of Defence whether, in view of the need for greater military flexibility arising from balance of payments difficulties and other considerations, he will redesignate the British Army of the Rhine as part of the United Kingdom Strategic Reserve.
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo, Sir. Our W.E.U. and N.A.T.O. obligations specifically allow us to withdraw our assigned forces on the Continent of Europe in the event of an acute overseas emergency. Moreover, if our Brussels Treaty commitments throw too great a strain on our external 1229 finances, there is provision in both W.E.U. and N.A.T.O. for reviewing the financial conditions on which our forces are maintained on the mainland of Europe.
Re-designation would, therefore, serve no practical purpose.
§ Commander CourtneyWill my right hon. Friend confirm one conclusion to which I have come after some research into the matter, namely, that even at times of this country's greatest strength, economically and otherwise, it has not previously been considered wise policy to maintain a standing Army in peace time on the Continent of Europe?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThat is a rather different matter. I am sure that my hon. and gallant Friend knows that we maintain these forces in N.A.T.O. in furtherance of our clear Treaty obligations.