HC Deb 22 November 1965 vol 721 cc21-3
41. Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with the Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Mr. M. Stewart

I was particularly glad that Dr. Schröder was able to accept my invitation so soon after the formation of the new Federal German Government.

The object of our talks was to exchange views on many important problems of common concern, including the problems of nuclear organisation in the Alliance, German reunification, European relations, and various bilateral matters. We took the opportunity also to discuss ways of realising our common objective of ex- panding and intensifying existing Anglo-German consultation at all levels. Ministerial meetings—such as my talks with Dr. Schröder—form an important part of this process.

I am glad to be able to tell the House that the talks were extremely useful. They were also very timely, falling as they did shortly before my own forthcoming visit to Moscow.

Mr. Blaker

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we on this side of the House will support his view that it was very welcome that he should have had these talks with the German Foreign Minister? Did he discuss with his visitor the view which the right hon. Gentleman himself has expressed, that we should now consider whether the proposals for the A.N.F. and the M.L.F. should be dropped; and, if so, what was his visitor's reaction, and what will be the next steps?

Mr. Stewart

The hon. Gentleman is putting into my mouth rather more than I said on this matter, but we did discuss the future of the Atlantic Alliance. It was not the purpose of the talks to reach firm conclusions on this, but we did make progress in the understanding of it.

Mr. John Hynd

Amongst the lower level matters, did the Minister discuss with the German Foreign Minister the question of developing youth exchanges between the two countries?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, and there had been very helpful discussions just before our talks occurred on that subject. I think we are making progress.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

In connection with these discussions, can the Foreign Secretary give us an assurance that the Government will not contemplate suggestions that the British Polaris submarine fleet might be either returned to the United States or made the basis of a mixed-manned fleet?

Mr. Stewart

That is going rather wider than my talks with Dr. Schröder. The hon. Gentleman will realise that decisions on these matters have got to be considered in a defence context as well as a foreign affairs context.

Mr. Philip Noel-Baker

Will my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary take some opportunity of killing the idea that Germany can obtain any significant equality of prestige or status by any form of nuclear share and that the Germans, if they want equality, should be pressing for disarmament, to which all the nuclear Powers have been committed for so long?

Mr. Stewart

I think my right hon. Friend knows that I have taken the view that we must consider the problems of the Atlantic Alliance and the problems of general disarmament simultaneously.

Lord Balniel

In the light of the confusion which has been caused by the Foreign Secretary's statement in the United States, did the Foreign Secretary make it clear to Dr. Schröder what exactly is our policy on the Atlantic Nuclear Force, and, if so, can he make it clear to the House? Is it being pushed by the Government, are they now neutral on it, or have they abandoned the scheme?

Mr. Stewart

I have already made it clear. The Atlantic Nuclear Force was and still is the British Government's proposal. I drew attention in New York to a number of other factors that have to be considered in this whole problem.

47. Lord Balniel

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what measure of agreement was reached in his discussions with the German Foreign Minister on the question of nuclear sharing between the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation partners.

Mr. M. Stewart

My talks with Dr. Schröder were confidential, but we had a useful exchange of views on subjects of mutual interest. It was not the intention that any decisions should be reached at the meeting.

Lord Balniel

In the light of the right hon. Gentleman's earlier Answers, may I ask whether he foresees progress on the lines of an A.N.F. or on the McNamara Committee proposal?

Mr. Stewart

This is exactly the kind of thing which one should not try rigidly to prejudge at this juncture. What I said in the reply to an earlier Question is the best way to leave the matter at present.