§ 10. Mr. Moyleasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will publish a White Paper setting out the increased contribution to European security which Her Majesty's Government intend to make after, and attendant upon, entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Lord BalnielEntry into the European Economic Community involves no defence obligations of any sort.
§ Mr. MoyleIs it not time that the Government abandoned their insincere and contradictory line? Does not paragraph 44 of the White Paper, "The United Kingdom and the European Communities" give as one reason for seeking membership the fact that European nations should do more in their own defence? Will the Government tell the House how many extra men and how much more money and material they will commit to the defence of Western Europe if we join the Common Market?
§ Lord BalnielThere is nothing in the Treaty of Rome about defence, and membership of the E.E.C. does not carry any defence obligations. What is true is that the growing military strength of the Warsaw Pact countries and the current trends of the United States both point towards Europe undertaking a greater share of responsibility for her own defence.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsWill my hon. Friend make it clear that our commitments in Europe fall entirely under the W.E.U. and the N.A.T.O. umbrella? We can perfectly well increase our forces if we have to should the United States decide to withdraw any part of its forces from Europe.
§ Lord BalnielMy hon. Friend is reinforcing in more detail the point I am making.