§ 20. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met the secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and what matters were discussed at the meeting.
§ Mr. MulleyI met Dr. Luns for lunch when he visited the United Kingdom on 21 February. We discussed informally a number of issues of current interest to the alliance.
§ Mr. AllaunWas not Dr. Luns a member of the Dutch Nazi Party from 1933 to 1936? Should he not be asked to resign, even though he purports that his brother signed him on without his knowledge? Is that not—
§ Mr. ChurchillOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I shall take the point of order after questions, if the hon. Gentleman does not mind.
§ Mr. ChurchillOn a point of order—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. This is unnecessary. We take points of order, if possible, after questions.
§ Mr. ChurchillIs it in order—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The same thing happened last week on the Government side of the House. An hon. Member insisted on putting his point of order.
§ Mr. ChurchillI am much obliged, Mr. Speaker. Is it in order for an hon. Member, under the cloak of parliamentary privilege, to make unfounded smear allegations against the secretary general of the NATO Alliance, to which we belong?
§ Mr. SpeakerHon. Members take responsibility for their own statements.
§ Mr. AllaunThank you, Mr. Speaker. Is it not an impertinence—[HON. MEMBERS:"Yes."] I for such a man to come to Britain, as he does continually, and tell us that we must increase our expenditure annually and that we must have a new generation of nuclear deterrents? As for what the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Churchill) says, what I have said has been admitted in the press.
§ Mr. MulleyI have seen in the press the references to which my hon. Friend refers. I understand that these allegations have been made from time to time and that Dr. Luns has repudiated any active part in these organisations. I do not see the relevance of this question to Dr. Luns' recent visit.