HC Deb 25 April 1966 vol 727 cc345-6
26. Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultations he has had with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in view of the French request that allied forces withdraw from France; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. M. Stewart

Regular consultations between the other fourteen members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation are taking place on the implications of the French proposals.

Mr. Griffiths

In view of the very serious disarray within the alliance as a result of the French demands, what new initiatives are the British Government proposing to take? Specifically, will the Foreign Secretary say that it is in the interests of this country that, if N.A.T.O.'s Headquarters must leave Paris, it will be very welcome in London?

Mr. Stewart

The hon. Member may remember that the British Government played a very prominent part in the framing of the declaration of the fourteen other members of N.A.T.O. other than France, and since then the fourteen have been busy on the study of all the particular problems that arise. If it seems wise for us to take a further step in order to promote and expedite those discussions at any moment, we shall certainly do so. I think I had better leave for the present answers to particular questions such as the one raised in the last part of the hon. Member's Question.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

I do not know if the Foreign Secretary will be able to deal with this to some extent tomorrow. I notice that he said that discussions were taking place with the other fourteen members of the N.A.T.O. Alliance. France is still a member of the alliance, as I understand it, and intends to continue to be so. May we take it that the Government are in touch with the French Government as to what solution there should be?

Mr. Stewart

Certainly. I think that a further and a more detailed Answer to that may be better given tomorrow.

Mr. Longden

Apart from the other unfortunate idiosyncrasies of French policy, are not the French in gross breach of the Treaty of Washington in taking the actions they are taking in 1966; and, if so, has this been brought to their attention?

Mr. Stewart

I think it is quite clear that we do not share at all the views or approve the line that the French Government are taking at the present time, but in view of the considerations just advanced by the right hon. Member for Kinross and West Perthshire (Sir Alec Douglas-Home), I do not think I should say more than that at this stage.

Mr. Sandys

Have the French Government made it clear whether or not they still stand by the Brussels Treaty under which they are under an obligation to come to the aid of their allies in the event of war?

Mr. Stewart

I do not think that we can regard this as clear at the present time.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, while it is necessary to deal with the problems which have arisen in these circumstances, it might be better to leave the principal initiative to countries which are perhaps rather less financially dependent on the United States than Her Majesty's Government appear to be?

Mr. Stewart

I do not share the view of some hon. Members opposite that this country is not in a position to play a very considerable part in world affairs.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Whatever the merits of the French demands and proposals, is not there now a clear case for reviewing and reconstituting the Atlantic Alliance with the object of bringing about a greater equality between the two sides of the Atlantic?

Mr. Stewart

I think it is true that the problem we are now faced with does give an opportunity for reconsidering a great many matters about the organisation of N.A.T.O., and we shall certainly take this opportunity.