HC Deb 23 February 1988 vol 128 cc141-2
12. Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received from the French Government regarding nuclear strategy.

13. Mr. Ronnie Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received from the French Government regarding nuclear strategy.

Mr. Younger

We maintain a fruitful dialogue with the French Government on a wide range of defence matters of mutual interest, including nuclear matters.

Mr. Redmond

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain the Government's attitude to the fact that, because the Franco-German defence council and brigade remain outside of NATO, and because of the Prime Minister's total reliance on the USA, there is a danger of a serious military split occurring?

Mr. Younger

I do not think that the hon. Gentleman need fear such a split. We take the view that the Franco-German brigade is a welcome development, especially as none of the troops for it will be taken from troops that are already committed to NATO. It is therefore a bilateral development outwith NATO, which can only help the strength of the West.

Mr. Campbell

What is the Government's attitude to the new Franco-German defence council and brigade outside NATO?—[Interruption.] Given the fact that the Prime Minister is wholly relying on the United States, will there not be a military split?

Mr. Younger

With respect to the hon. Member, I think that that is the question asked by the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond), which I answered a moment ago.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the robust, independent pro-nuclear policy of the former Socialist Government and Socialist President of West Germany has much to commend it to the Labour party?

Mr. Younger

My hon. Friend is correct. I only wish that the previous Socialist Governments of West Germany could give a teach-in to the Labour party about sensible defence policies.

Mr. William Powell

Does my right hon. Friend agree that one of the most helpful developments in European policy and strategy is the increasing willingness of France to engage in manoeuvres with her allies in NATO? Will my right hon. Friend do all that he can to ensure that France carries out manoeuvres, not only with West Germany, but with ourselves?

Mr. Younger

I very much welcome the extremely good defence relationship that we have with France at present. It is helpful not only in joint manoeuvres—which are developing quite satisfactorily—but in joint procurement policies, which also have great promise for the future.

Mr. O'Niell

Further to that point, does the Secretary of State agree that it is about time that the French paid their full dues to Europe and became, once again, full members of NATO and stopped trying to have their cake and eat it?

Mr. Younger

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I hope that the time will come when the French will feel able to come into the military structure of NATO. At the present time we are happy to develop warmer and closer relations with France, and I believe that that is happening now.

Mr. Curry

Is my right hon. Friend aware that President Mitterrand of France is to attend the forthcoming NATO summit, which will be the first time that a French Head of State has attended it for more than 20 years? Does he think that that is a positive sign for the increasing integration of France, in practice, into the defence of Western Europe?

Mr. Younger

Yes, I think that the presence of the French Government, at presidential level, is a good augury for a successful NATO summit, which I hope will produce a clear and strong declaration.