HC Deb 11 December 1963 vol 686 cc373-5
7. Mr. Healey

asked the Minister of Defence whether, following the discussions in Washington and Paris, he has now authorised British forces to participate in the proposed mixed-manning trials, in connection with the negotiations for a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation multilateral force.

Mr. Thorneycroft

No, Sir; but I think it likely that just as we have participated without any commitments in the talks, we would consider taking some part in an experiment associated with them.

Mr. Healey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the members of the Government party present at the Western European Union Assembly, meeting in Paris last week, supported the amendment of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in opposing the multilateral force? Is the Minister aware that there is deep concern on both sides of the House that Her Majesty's Government may find themselves committed to support the multilateral force by a series of small administrative decisions, rather in the way that, in the end, they were committed to membership of the Common Market, although they went into the negotiations without any prior commitment?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I do not see why a willingness to discuss problems with one's friends or allies, or even to indulge in small experiments with them, necessarily commits one to courses which one does not wish to follow.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

Will my right hon. Friend note that although the hon. Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Healey) may speak for his side of the House, he must not speak for both sides of the House on an issue of this sort?

Mr. Ridley

As I was at the meeting of Western European Union and the hon. Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Healey) was not, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend is aware that we on this side were antagonistic to the idea of a nuclear executive for Europe but not necessarily antagonistic to the multilateral force, and that that was the reason why we supported the amendment of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition?

Mr. Thorneycroft

This question of a multilateral force raises many and difficult issues; that is generally accepted. The Question refers to whether we would participate in an experiment. If the details of one were put before us, we would consider it, but that would not commit us to the enormous expense of going in for this multilateral force any more than would the discussions upon which we are now engaged.

Mr. Healey

Will the Minister at least maintain his opposition to the previous Foreign Secretary's views on this issue now that the previous Foreign Secretary is Prime Minister?

Mr. Thorneycroft

As the hon. Member knows, the Government speak with one voice in these matters.