§ Q2. Mr. Martenasked the Prime Minister if he will invite the heads of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries to a meeting in London.
§ The Prime MinisterI have no plans to do so, Sir, but my right hon. Friends the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and the Defence Secretary will be attending Ministerial Meetings of N.A.T.O. in May and June.
§ Mr. MartenIn the meantime, could the right hon. Gentleman clear up the difference of opinion which appears to exist between himself and the Secretary of State for Defence? Does he recall that on 28th April in this House he said that our nuclear deterrent would be withdrawn from N.A.T.O. only if N.A.T.O. were to collapse, and in no other circumstances? Is he further aware that the Secretary of State for Defence on 4th February said that we retain the right to use it independently if we wish to do so? Could the Prime Minister explain to the House the difference between the two statements?
§ The Prime MinisterI have been answering that question for several weeks and I have no doubt that I shall be answering it through the next Parliament and the one after that. It would give no satisfaction to the hon. Gentleman, even if he should be here, because my right hon. Friend and I both made clear that there is no difference between us on this question.
§ Sir G. de FreitasDoes my right hon. Friend recall that about 10 years ago he was a delegate at the semi-official N.A.T.O. Parliamentary Conference? Will he consider making this conference more official so that there may be real parliamentary criticism of N.A.T.O. Ministers, because defence is far too important to be left to Ministers of Defence?
§ The Prime MinisterI certainly recall that meeting in November 1962. It was one of the more agreeable meetings that I have attended, and I think that most hon. Members from either side of the House who attended what was then the N.A.T.O. Parliamentarians Meeting would agree with my judgment. I am certainly prepared to consider what my right hon. Friend has said.