§ 18. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will now make a further statement on the proposals submitted to Western European Union for raising the maximum permitted tonnage of German naval vessels; and if he will oppose the request of the West German Government to join Supreme Allied Command, Atlantic.
§ Mr. HeathAs regards the first part of the Question, I have nothing to add 942 to my reply to the hon. Gentleman of 30th January. As regards the second part, the deployment of all naval vessels within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, including those of the Federal German Republic, is a matter for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation military authorities to decide in accordance with agreed North Atlantic Treaty Organisation requirements.
§ Mr. AllaunIf Germany joins SACLANT, will not that mean that for the first time since 1945 the German Navy under former Nazi officers will extend its activities beyond the Baltic and the North Sea, and will it not also mean that this will circumvent the existing restrictions on the size and type of German vessels?
§ Mr. HeathNo, Sir. I do not think that the latter has any connection with the former. The disposition of the force is a matter for the N.A.T.O. Supreme Commander and must remain so.