HC Deb 23 May 1962 vol 660 cc415-6
10. Commander Courtney

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what are the designated duties and area of operational responsibility of Comsubeastlant in war.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

The Commander Submarine Force Eastern Atlantic would in war be responsible for the operation of N.A.T.O. submarines in the Eastern Atlantic Area. He would be directly responsible to the Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Atlantic Area.

Commander Courtney

Is it not a fact that only a small fraction of these submarines are British? Is it not further a fact that a number of Polaris-firing submarines will not come under the command of Comsubeastlant? Is it not time, based on the logic of numbers and these facts, to suggest that this command should be taken over by an American officer?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

It is not true to say that our slice is very small, or fractional. It is a very large fraction. In fact, it is the second largest fraction of this force. On the broader principle, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence recently announced at the Dispatch Box that we are considering the command situation, and this will certainly take into account the N.A.T.O. and Polaris questions.

Mr. H. Hynd

Will the Minister be careful not to accept the principle suggested by his hon. and gallant Friend, that an officer representing the largest national section of that force should be in command? If he does we shall have a German in command of the troops in Europe.

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I follow the logic of the hon. Member's observation, and I think that I would endorse it.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Will my hon. Friend see whether he can do something to avoid the use of these appallingly long abbreviated and combined words? Are not they really flocci-nauci-nihili-pili-ficatious?

Mr. Willis

Can the Minister say when this review is likely to be completed? Obviously the present command structure within N.A.T.O. makes nonsense. Ought not the position to have been reviewed a considerable time ago?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I will draw the notice of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence to that point.