HC Deb 09 April 1974 vol 872 cc142-3
13. Mr. Dixon

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he expects to have with Defence Ministers of NATO countries.

Mr. Mason

I am looking forward to meeting my ministerial colleagues at the forthcoming NATO spring meetings and at other times when we have business to do together.

Mr. Dixon

When the right hon. Gentleman has those discussions, will he satisfy himself that the American Secretary for Defence will not be a party to any withdrawal of American troops from Europe? If this seems to be a likelihood, will he bring strong pressure to bear on his French and German colleagues to encourage them to allot a much larger proportion of their gross national product to be used for the defence of Western Europe?

Mr. Mason

I am aware of the views of Dr. Kissinger and also of the concern which they arouse in Western Europe, where I think they have served a purpose. I feel that the rest of the NATO countries realise that more is expected of them as a whole because of the view taken by the Americans.

Mr. Lee

Will my right hon. Friend make clear that if he undertakes any discussions he will represent forcibly to the Defence Ministers that this country has borne far too heavy a burden economically in the defence of Western Europe? Will he make certain that in future our part in it is considerably reduced?

Mr. Mason

If my hon. Friend looks at the figures of gross national product of Germany, France and the United Kingdom, he will see that we are paying much more than they are, but if he looks at the total sums of money expended on forces by France, Germany and Britain he will discover that we are spending less than both those countries.

Mr. Blaker

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to give the House an assurance that the Government's proposed reduction of £50 million in defence expenditure this year will not adversely affect our contribution to NATO?

Mr. Mason

Offhand I would say that that is right, but I hope that the hon. Gentleman will not point an accusing finger at the Labour Government over a figure of £50 million when only last December the Conservative Government decided to cut back defence expenditure by £178 million. I should also warn the House that this year, on 1974 figures and prices, we are cutting back defence expenditure by a total of £262 million.