§ 30. Rear-Admiral Morgan Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent his present contingency plans are based on the criterion that a Soviet attack in Europe is unlikely in present circumstances.
§ Mr. HealeyIt is of the nature of contingency planning that it should cover the unlikely as well as the more likely situation.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan GilesCan the right hon. Gentleman give a categorical assurance that no plans are being considered in his Ministry for further drastic reductions in the forces in addition to those already announced?
§ Mr. HealeyI can tell the House that my Ministry, like many others in Whitehall, is deeply concerned that we shall solve the problem of the foreign exchange costs of the British forces in Germany. With the hon. and gallant Gentleman's long Service background, he will know that it is not the custom for Ministers of whatever party in this House to speculate on planning.