HC Deb 18 May 1965 vol 712 cc1200-1
Q1. Mr. Marten

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about the future policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave on 13th May to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Dunbartonshire, East (Mr. Bence).

Mr. Marten

As some of the Prime Minister's hon. Friends later described N.A.T.O. as a tottering structure, will the right hon. Gentleman affirm the Government's intention to work for the unity of N.A.T.O. with our American, allies? Second, does he see any chance of persuading the Russians to believe seriously that N.A.T.O. is in fact a defensive alliance? Third, in the event of the French trying to cause trouble in N.A.T.O., has he any plans to deal with that situation?

The Prime Minister

I dealt with all these points pretty fully in my speech to the N.A.T.O. Ministerial Council last week, which I commended to the hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friends in the answer to the Question which I gave on Thursday last.

Mr. Maudling

As the focus of danger is moving to some extent from Europe to Asia, will the right hon. Gentleman lay particular stress on the contribution which the N.A.T.O. countries can make in the problems of the East as well as Europe?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir; the right hon. Gentleman will find that I made quite a strong point of the subject covered by his supplementary question. I dealt with it at some length, though, perhaps, not so elegantly as the right hon. Gentleman, in my speech to N.A.T.O. last week.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is very considerable regard for his statement made during the N.A.T.O. Council meeting, which found wide support, but is he aware that it causes confusion in the minds of foreign visitors here if, while he is making such statements with which the House is at one, some of his hon. Friends make diametrically opposite statements?

The Prime Minister

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for what he says about my speech. I do not think that there is any confusion. The words I used last week were quite clear and, I think, had the support of the whole House.