§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy 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 they will make a statement on the proceedings at the N.A.T.O. Conference in Paris.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF GOSFORD)My Lords, as your Lordships may be aware, the meetings of the North Atlantic Council have only just ended. I therefore regret that I am unable to make a statement to your Lordships.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I was afraid that that might be the official Answer to-day, and I suspect that, in the meantime, most of your Lordships have seen the communiqué, which is already on the tape, issued after the meetings in Paris. I am bound to say that it is unfortunate we do not happen to be having the privilege of the other House of Parliament of debating this matter to-morrow, and doing it urgently. However, I do not think that would be possible to arrange now, in the light of the convenience of your Lordships. I must say that I feel exceedingly disappointed with some aspects of the communiqué. I hope that some parts of it can be explored with benefit, by development, but I think it would be better if I were to give notice that I will amend the terms of the Motion in my name on the Order Paper for January 22 so as to make it read:
To call attention to questions of Defence with special reference to the situation arising from the N.A.T.O. Conference.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, if the noble Viscount would do so, that would be quite acceptable; and perhaps we may consult through the usual channels as to how long we shall need.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, I gave notice to the noble Earl, Lord Gosford, this morning that, although I realised it would be impossible for him to anticipate what might be said by the Prime Minister to-morrow in another place, I proposed to ask whether he can give an assurance that the Prime Minister will include a reference to one or two topics which are of more than usual interest and importance to us. First, will the Prime Minister say whether anything has been said in Paris about amendment of the McMahon Act? Secondly, will the Prime Minister tell us whether the Government's consent will be required before the Federal Government of Germany is armed with nuclear weapons? The third and final question is this: would the Prime Minister elucidate the pledges on which he bases his assertion that nuclear weapons will not be used without our consent—this is in special reference to the reported installation of rocket sites in Scotland?
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Viscount 1316 for his courtesy in giving me prior notice of the questions he has put to me this afternoon, but, as the noble Viscount foreshadowed at the beginning of his remarks, I regret that I am unable to anticipate what my right honourable friend the Prime Minister will say tomorrow.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEI perfectly well understand that, and I thank the noble Earl.