§ Q1. Mr. Juddasked the Prime Minister when he will call a conference of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation heads of Government to consider existing North Atlantic Treaty Organisation commitments.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)I have no plans to do so.
§ Mr. JuddI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] Would he not agree that the effectiveness of a defensive alliance is related to the moral fibre of the cause which it exists to protect? Is it not essential that Britain and others should increase pressure on the Governments of countries like Greece and Portugal, whose regressive policies at home and in Africa undermine the objectives and effectiveness of N.A.T.O.?
§ The Prime MinisterI have a later Question on the Order Paper about Greece. I have answered a number of Questions recently about Portugal. The bona fides of N.A.T.O. depend on its task in securing a real security in Europe, a security which, as both the President of the United States and I said at Heathrow Airport yesterday, is related to a situation where, from strength, we can move to an easement of tension between East and West.
§ Mr. HeathWould the Prime Minister agree that the present visit of the President of the United States gives us an opportunity to have talks of the kind suggested in the Question? Would he also agree that the whole House welcomes the statement of the President to the N.A.T.O. Council yesterday that he proposes to enter into negotiations with the Soviet Union over a wide range of issues and that, before doing so, there will be consultations with members of the Alliance and that these will continue during the negotiations?
§ The Prime MinisterI join with the right hon. Gentleman in welcoming what President Nixon said at N.A.T.O. and what he said on the same subject on his arrival in London last night. The N.A.T.O. Council in Rejkavik last summer put out very warm feelers for 1275 an easement of tension on an advantageous basis with Europe, but Czechoslovakia made that much more difficult. It is the aim of the President of the United States and of us that, from a situation of undoubted strength, we should be able to move towards a détente with the East.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhatever the motive underlying the Question, does not my right hon. Friend consider that with all the leaks, misunderstandings, whisperings and rumours all over the place, it is about time we ceased having these conferences and began to mind our own business?
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend had a long and distinguished record in relation to N.A.T.O. when he was a Minister. Our own business is to strengthen N.A.T.O.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan GilesWhile President Nixon is in London will the Prime Minister publicly express our appreciation of the contribution made to the security of Europe by the Americans over a period of many years? Will the right hon. Gentleman also emphasise on behalf of Britain our determination to bear our full share of the cost of the Western Alliance wherever it may be needed?
§ The Prime MinisterI have already expressed this sentiment to President Nixon and I will see that the views of the hon. and gallant Gentleman are appropriately conveyed to him. As for our contribution to N.A.T.O., the President is aware, as I have no doubt the hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware, of the substantially increased contribution to N.A.T.O. which we are making, which we will progressively make and which is possible due to the fact that we have withdrawn and are withdrawing excessive British commitments in other parts of the world.