HC Deb 26 June 1963 vol 679 cc1307-8
1. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Minister of Defence what consultations took place at the Ottawa Conference, with a view to ensuring that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation will be capable of resisting conventional attack by the use of conventional forces.

The Minister of Defence (Mr. Peter Thorneycroft)

The proceedings of the meeting are, of course, confidential, and I cannot add to the communiqué.

Mr. Dempsey

Is the Minister aware that, although that may be the case, there is considerable criticism from our allies that our forces are not adequately equipped to resist a conventional attack? Obviously, there might have been a leak somewhere. Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the proper equipment of our conventional forces is extremely important—so important that it might even prohibit the possibility of a nuclear catastrophe? Is it not about time that Members received some assurance that we are making an effort to resist a conventional attack by the use of conventional weapons?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I was at Ottawa, and I certainly did not hear any such criticism from our allies. I would draw the hon. Member's attention to paragraph 9 of the communiqué.

Captain Litchfield

Can my right hon. Friend say whether SACLANT is satisfied that he has adequate forces to deal with a conventional war in the Atlantic?

Mr. Thorneycroft

That question has rather wider issues, concerning conventional forces in the naval field. Perhaps we can discuss that separately.