HC Deb 11 March 1971 vol 813 cc571-2
28. Mr. Moyle

asked the Minister of State for Defence what further proposals he has for a specific West European defence grouping within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Lord Balniel

We shall continue, through the Euro Group, to foster European defence collaboration within N.A.T.O. so as to improve the military capability of the Alliance as a whole.

Mr. Moyle

I thank the Minister for that reply. Will he now agree that this process must not be taken so far as to undermine the unity of N.A.T.O., particularly when we should use the unity of N.A.T.O. to prepare a comprehensive and united approach to a European security conference?

Lord Balniel

There is no question of this undermining the unity of N.A.T.O. It is welcomed on the other side of the Atlantic and among the European members of N.A.T.O.