HC Deb 13 February 1963 vol 671 cc1289-90
17. Mr. Wigg

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the extent to which the communications system of the British Army of the Rhine is dependent upon the German Post Office and whether he is satisfied with its efficiency.

Mr. Profumo

In accordance with our normal practice at home and abroad, civilian telephone and telegraph circuits are used for peace-time administration in the British Army of the Rhine. The system is generally satisfactory.

Mr. Wigg

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen reports which are current in the United States that the signals system of the British Army of the Rhine is so bad as to make our forces there a laughing stock? If the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied that these rumours and statements are not true, will he use his authority to deny them?

Mr. Speaker

As the Minister is not responsible for the rumours and statements, it cannot be in order to ask him questions about them.

Mr. Gordon Walker

Is not there a considerable difference between relying on Post Office facilities at home, which are under the control of our Government, and relying on such facilities in another country where they are not?

Mr. Profumo

We do not do this only in Germany, but elsewhere. But in any emergency we have an alternative system which would ensure the continued efficiency of our military com- munications. I think that that answers to some extent what the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Wigg) alleged was being suggested. The United States Army also relies on these land lines in peace-time.

Mr. Wigg

Although the United States Army relies on German facilities as well, is not it a fact that the United States Army has alternative methods of communication and is not dependent exclusively on German facilities, whereas our communications have been so run down, or are so out of date, that we do rely on them?

Mr. Profumo

That is a very much wider question than the Question on the Order Paper which I have answered. If the hon. Gentleman wishes to make accusations about the signals system in Germany, perhaps he would put down a Question. I am not trying to evade answering anything. But I think it is wrong that this sort of thing should be overdone. As the hon. Gentleman and I hope the House will know, although we have been in difficulties (regarding signals communications we are rapidly reaching a stage which will be very satisfactory indeed; and nothing at the present moment impairs the efficiency of the British Army of the Rhine to carry out its duties.

Mr. Morris

The right hon. Gentleman says that there will be an improvement. When will B.A.O.R. actually receive new signals equipment?

Mr. Profumo

When the hon. Gentleman says, "When will B.A.O.R. receive new signals equipment", I do not know to what signals equipment he refers. Signals equipment is coming forward constantly, that is, conventional signals equipment. In about eighteen months the whole of B.A.O.R. should have up-to-date signals equipment.

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