§ 18. Rear-Admiral Morgan-Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to plan the strengthening of their conventional forces on the Central European front to cover a partial withdrawal of United States forces from Europe after mid-1971.
§ Mr. HealeyThe United States Administration has given no indication to N.A.T.O. of any plans to make a partial withdrawal of its forces from Europe after mid-1971.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-GilesDoes that reply mean that the Secretary of State thinks that the situation is satisfactory on the Central European front if such an event should occur?
§ Mr. HealeyThe Secretary of State will put his views on this question during the debate this afternoon, if he catches your eye, Mr. Speaker.
§ 42. Sir Ian Orr-Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on measures to replace Canadian troops already withdrawn and on contingency plans to deal with the withdrawal of United States forces from Europe after the middle of 1971.
§ Mr. HealeyThere has been a series of discussions in N.A.T.O., at various levels, about the Canadian force reductions and as a result a number of measures have been taken, or are being taken, to remedy their effects. I shall be dealing with United Kingdom measures in my speech later this afternoon.
§ Sir Ian Orr-EwingIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that eight of the European N.A.T.O. countries, and France in addition, are increasing their defence forces? In the face of this and the threat which is set out so clearly in the White Paper in paragraph 19, is it wise to carry on with the precipitate rundown of our Forces?
§ Mr. HealeyI am glad to tell the House what I shall elaborate on this afternoon, that Her Majesty's Government have increased their contribution to N.A.T.O. in the last few years as much as, and in many cases more than, other European countries. This is as a result of our decision to withdraw forces from their bases in the Gulf and the Far East. It would have been impossible without that decision.
§ Mr. Russell KerrIs my right hon. Friend aware, as I am sure he is, that this country has been spending 50 per cent. more on defence than countries he has mentioned?
§ Mr. HealeyThat is not the case. If we compare our defence expenditure with that of other European countries roughly of the same size as ours, that of France is very near to ours and in the case of Germany it is a little below.