HL Deb 23 June 1954 vol 188 c33

2.38 p.m.

LORD WINSTER

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether validity will attach, if and when E.D.C. is ratified, to the Convention entered into on 26th May by Britain, America and France with the Federal Government of Germany, and to the letter of the same date signed by the High Commissioners of the three Powers addressed to the Chancellor of the Federal Republic.]

THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)

My Lords, the Answer to the noble Lord's Question is, "Yes,"

LORD WINSTER

My Lords, I thank the noble Marquess for that reply. May I put one further question? In the event of E.D.C. falling, in which case, according to my understanding, the Bonn Treaty would fall also, by what instrument would our relations with the Federal Republic of Germany be governed? I ask that question because it seems possible that, if E.D.C. does fail, the internal position inside the Federal Republic will deteriorate. Would not the noble Marquess agree that it is very desirable that attention should be given at this moment to this question?

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

The noble Lord's supplementary question is at present, happily, as I am sure he will agree, hypothetical. Should the situation which he envisages arise—and I earnestly hope that it will not—if he will put down a Question again, I shall be happy to give him an Answer.

LORD WINSTER

I thank the noble Marquess.