HC Deb 05 February 1974 vol 868 cc1027-9
11. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to meet the French Minister of Defence.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

I am looking forward to continuing the regular series of meetings which my right hon. and noble Friend had with the French Minister of Defence.

Mr. Goodhart

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some of us are alarmed by recent developments in French defence policy? The French now seem to have turned their back on practical co-operation with their allies in weapon development and weapon sales.

Mr. Gilmour

As my hon. Friend says, there have been one or two indications in that direction, but the House must not forget that there are also some successes on the other side, like Jaguar, Martel and the series of Anglo-French helicopters. I see no reason to believe that this policy will greatly change in the future. It is one of the matters which I look forward to discussing with the French Minister of Defence.

Mr. Peart

Would the Minister also express the view that if France desires full co-operation with Europe we are anxious to have it and that, therefore, she should fully co-operate with NATO?

Mr. Gilmour

Successive Governments have endorsed the view that we should like France to be a member of NATO, but this is necessarily a matter for the French Government.

Mr. Tebbit

Will my right hon. Friend point out to the French Minister of Defence that many people in this country find it curious that the French can engage with us in a co-operative programme like Jaguar and then do their best to pull out the rug from beneath that project when we try to sell it abroad?

Mr. Gilmour

I would not like to adopt the language of my hon. Friend. We certainly hope that the French will co-operate with us in selling our collaborative ventures.

Mr. Dalyell

Will the Secretary of State make sure that there are two other questions on his agenda? The first is about why the French Government continue to snub the International Court at The Hague on the matter of French nuclear testing. Secondly, are not the French, as our allies, due some explanation why there is to be a £200 million Anglo-American staging post at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean? Is not this worth discussion?

Mr. Gilmour

The second part of the hon. Gentleman's question could not conceivably arise on this Question. When I meet M. Galley it is unlikely that I shall discuss the French nuclear tests with him.