§ 27. Mr. Powellasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is intended to apply in 1968–69 the Government's policy of withdrawing from the Continent any forces of which the foreign exchange costs are not offset.
§ Mr. MasonThe Question does not describe the Government's policy correctly. Our aim is to find satisfactory arrangements to meet the foreign exchange costs in future, either by offset purchases or by other means.
§ Mr. PowellBut does it remain the Government's policy, as stated last year, that they will withdraw from the Continent any forces the cost of which across the exchanges cannot be offset?
§ Mr. MasonThat was not said adamantly. The right hon. Gentleman knows that at the moment we are withdrawing one brigade and one Royal Air Force squadron. That is being discussed this week by the N.A.T.O. Council of Ministers. We hope that redeployment will be effective starting next January.
§ Mr. PowellIs the Minister prepared to give an assurance that there will be no similar withdrawal in the next financial year?
§ Mr. ShinwellWhat does the Government expect our ground forces on the Continent to do in the event of Russian aggression? Is he not aware that our forces there would be completely liquidated?
§ Mr. MasonIf everybody took the view which my right hon. Friend expressed, there would be no N.A.T.O. forces, no contribution from Britain, and a vast vacuum in Western Europe, and we should be overwhelmed in no time.
§ Mr. HefferMy hon. Friend is already overwhelmed.
§ Mr. Ronald AtkinsIs not my hon. Friend aware that in his Budget speeches in the past two years my right hon. Friend who was then Chancellor of the Exchequer promised that the offset costs would be completely met, and on the last occasion at least implied that if they were not met the forces would be withdrawn?
§ Mr. MasonYes, but they have been very near to being met during the current year, and it will be our aim to get them met during the next year too.