§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, to allay the widespread anxiety expressed by our Continental Allies, they can give art assurance that the visit of the Minister of Defence to Washington implies no unilateral action taken without consultation with our Allies.]
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I can assure my noble friend that the visit of my right honourable friend the Minister of Defence to Washington most certainly does not imply that action affecting our Allies in N.A.T.O. will be taken without proper consultation with them.
§ LORD LAYTONMy Lords, may I ask whether the noble Lord appreciates the importance of giving the maximum publicity and emphasis to the Answer he has just given, in view of the many rumours and suggestions to the contrary which are current, not only in this country but abroad? For example, there was a statement in one of our national newspapers this morning, in connection with the visit of the Minister of Defence, in which it was categorically asserted that 662 American Defence Chiefs have been told that, whatever objections they may raise, Britain intends to cut her ground and air forces stationed in Germany, an action which, as your Lordships know, would be directly contrary to the specific undertakings that have been given in the Paris Agreement.
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I have seen the statement to which the noble Lord refers, and others a good deal wilder than that. I hope that the most categorical assurance that I have just been able to give to my noble friend Lord Stonehaven will put the noble Lord's mind at rest.
VISCOUNT STONEHAVENMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Answer, which is entirely satisfactory.