HC Deb 18 January 1967 vol 739 cc412-4
16. Mr. Julius Silverman

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost to the British Government of British military forces in the German Federal Republic and in West Berlin since 1955; and what has been the cost over the same period in foreign currency.

Mr. Healey

For the period from 1st April, 1958, the respective figures are £975 million, excluding the cost of unit equipment, and £575 million. I regret that comparable figures for earlier years are not available.

Mr. Silverman

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the accumulated effect of this expenditure is to impose an intolerable burden upon our economy and upon our foreign exchange reserves? Will the Government see that this expenditure is either brought to an end or drastically reduced in the very near future?

Mr. Healey

My hon. Friend will be well aware that the Government consider a continuation of a burden on this scale as being intolerable and have made clear when they propose to take decisions on this matter. I would point out to the House that as against this, the German Government paid something like £300 million to offset our costs over the period to which I referred, and the net cost to this country over the whole period, without deducting German offset, was less than half our expenditure on an average year of the last world war. Expenditure which is necessary to prevent the occurrence of a third world war is fully justified on these grounds.

Sir C. Osborne

Does the Minister really think that the present Soviet Government will ever attack Western Europe; if not, why does he not bring those troops home at once?

Mr. Healey

One of the things which many of us on both sides have learned over the years is that to use the word "never" on a matter of this nature is very unwise indeed.

Mr. Michael Foot

Will my right hon. Friend say when the Government intend to take this decision? When do they propose to carry out the undertaking which the Prime Minister gave to the House on 30th July last year?

Mr. Healey

My hon. Friend will recall that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster made clear in December that the Government have undertaken not to take any decision leading to a change in the force levels it currently maintains in Germany until 1st July so as to give a chance for the current multilateral discussions in N.A.T.O. and the tripartite talks between the British, German and United States Governments to reach agreed conclusions.

Mr. Powell

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear, in view of some of the things that have been said, that the security of Western Europe is a supreme interest to this country, and that it can only be guaranteed if there is firm evidence of this country's determination to participate in its defence?

Mr. Healey

Yes, I am glad to agree with the right hon. Gentleman completely. I hope that our views in this regard will be made very clear in the forthcoming Statement on the Defence Estimates.