HC Deb 25 June 1969 vol 785 cc1487-8
17. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he is making in securing a European policy on defence questions within the North Atlantic Alliance.

Mr. John Morris

A third informal dinner, attended by the Defence Ministers of a number of the European members of N.A.T.O., including my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, took place in Brussels on 27th May, 1969. A wide range of defence matters was discussed, including the possibility of greater European co-operation in arms procurement.

Mr. Wingfield Digby

While giving the Secretary of State full credit for these working dinners, may I ask whether they could not now progress to formal meetings?

Mr. Morris

What is important is that the European Defence Ministers, whether in formal meetings or at working dinners, should work together as much as possible. I do not think that the form of meeting matters so much.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

Is it not desirable that the outcome of the discussions should be an approach to the other side with a view to scaling down armaments all round? Is it still the policy of the Government to bring this about with a view to securing a general withdrawal of forces?

Mr. Morris

Certainly it is the policy of the Government to try to ensure on both sides in Europe a reduction of armaments.

Mr. Rippon

Is it still the Government's policy to secure an independent European defence capability, nuclear as well as conventional?

Mr. Morris

The right hon. and learned Gentleman knows exactly what the position of the Government is.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker. The Minister has just made reference to information apparently possessed by him and my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Rippon). Can the rest of us know what it is?

Mr. Speaker

That is a point of curiosity, not of order.