§ 53. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Defence what recent action he has taken to plan the production of arms through an agency of Western European Union, such as the establishment of a European Armaments Board.
§ Mr. HealeyNew and comprehensive machinery for arms co-operation has 432 recently been introduced in N.A.T.O. We believe this should be given a fair period of trial before assessing finally the need for separate machinery of the kind suggested.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is support for this in French Parliamentary circles, and will he follow it up, because it seems a hopeful sign?
§ Mr. HealeyI am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman. I hope that that support will have an influence on the French Government's decision about the variable geometry aircraft.