§ 2.55 p.m.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, I thought the House might like a very short account of the recent N.A.T.O. meeting. This was the regular December meeting of the N.A.T.O. Council, and the communiqué which was issued, and which I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT, shows the wide range of subjects discussed.
The main business of this year's meeting was to discuss the long-range planning of the Alliance, in all its aspects, and particularly on the military side. As the House is aware, the United States Government have been giving thought to the need to strengthen the N.A.T.O. Alliance, and to the problem of keeping up to date the deterrent and defensive forces of N.A.T.O. in the coming years. With these objectives in 843 mind, the American Secretary of State outlined to the Council the concept of a multilateral Medium Range Ballistic Missile force for N.A.T.O. He put this forward for discussion and consideration, and not for immediate decisions. At the same time, and as a first step towards the objectives he has in mind, Mr. Herter announced his Government's intention to commit to N.A.T.O. five Polaris submarines before the end of 1963. It was made clear that these five submarines would operate in accordance with existing procedures. Thus no change in the control arrangements for nuclear forces is involved. He also gave an assurance that the United States in-tended not to withdraw from the N.A.T.O. area American nuclear weapons allotted to N.A.T.O.
The Permanent Representatives will now study the whole problem of the N.A.T.O. defence capability in the light of the American suggestions. The study will include an examination of the purposes, control and deployment of N.A.T.O.'s nuclear anmoury. This is a point to which I and my right honourable friend the Minister of Defence drew particular attention.
As regards non-military matters, it was agreed that the North Atlantic Treaty itself requires no amendment, but that fuller use should be made of the machinery we now have, especially with a view Ito improving political consultation between member-countries. This, too, will be worked out by the Permanent Representatives on the basis of a report by the Secretary General and other suggestions made during the meeting. It will be further considered at the Ministerial meeting in Oslo next May.
§ Following is the Final Communiqué of the Ministerial Session of the North Atlantic Council, December 16–18, 1960, referred to in Lord Home's statement:
§ The regular Ministerial session of the North Atlantic Council was held in Paris from December 16th to 18th, 1960.
§ 2. The Ministers engaged in an extensive review of the international situation—political, military and economic. In pursuance of decisions previously taken, they also considered the question of long-term planning on the basis of a progress report from the Secretary General and suggestions put forward by Governments.
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§ 3. The Council reaffirmed the solidarity of the Alliance and their dedication to the principle of the settlement of all disputes by peaceful means, without recourse to the use of force or threats. They declared their determination to work for a lasting improvement in international relations, in which freedom, national independence and law would be respected. This would be true peaceful coexistence free from all idea of world domination.
§ 4. The Council deplored the lack of progress during the past year on disarmament, resulting from the Communist states' withdrawal from the Ten-Power Conference before even examining the Western proposals. The Council reaffirmed their support for the principles expressed in those proposals as a basis for attaining their common objective of general and complete disarmament by stages under effective international control. They expressed their hope for the early resumption of negotiations.
§ 5. The Council regretted the lack of progress on the reunification of Germany on the basis of self-determination. With regard to Berlin, the Council reaffirmed their declaration of December 16th, 1958. In face of the recent Soviet threats and harassing tactics, they once again declared their determination to protect the freedom of the people of West Berlin.
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§ 6. In order that the Atlantic Alliance may pursue its constructive purposes in peace and without fear, confronted as it is by the menace of growing Communist military strength, the North Atlantic nations must be able to respond to any attack with whatever force might be appropriate. There must be a proper balance in the forces of the Alliance of nuclear and conventional strength to provide the required flexibility. The Ministers, in the light of the Annual Review, took note of the progress which had been made, and expressed their determination to continue their efforts to improve the deterrent and defensive strength of the Alliance.
§ 7. In this connection, the United States Government suggested the concept of an M.R.B.M. multilateral force for consideration by the Alliance. The Council took note of the United States suggestion with great interest and instructed the Permanent Representatives to study the suggestion and related matters in detail.
§ The Council welcomed the assurance of the United States to maintain in the N.A.T.O. area United States nuclear weapons made available to N.A.T.O.
§ 8 At the same time, the Council agreed on the equal importance of strengthening the shield forces of N.A.T.O. in other respects so that there can be no possibility of miscalculation or misunderstanding of the Alliance's determination and ability to resist aggression by whatever means are appropriate and necessary.
§ 9. The Ministers noted with satisfaction the steps so far taken in response to the proposals 845 made by Defence Ministers in Spring, 1960, in the field of logistics and for co-operation in research, development and production of military equipment. They urged all parties concerned to press on with the projects already selected, and to study what further projects are suitable for co-operative action.
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§ 10. The Ministers examined the report submitted to them on long-term planning, in particular with regard to political consultation and economic problems.
§ 11. They reaffirmed their determination to pursue within the Alliance comprehensive political consultation designed to achieve the closest possible co-ordination of their views and unity of action. They studied ways and means of achieving this result.
§ 12. In the economic field, they welcomed the creation of the O.E.C.D. which, by promoting balanced economic growth and the expansion of world trade, will benefit all the nations of the free world.
§ 13. They emphasised the importance they attach to the development of the less-favoured countries of the Alliance.
§ 14. Comprising as they do more industrially developed Atlantic nations recognise responsibility in the field of developed countries.
§ 15. The Ministers instructed the Permanent Representatives to follow up previous studies to enable the countries of the Alliance to watch the development of the Communist economic offensive and to concert the necessary defensive measures.
§ 16. The Secretary General was invited to draw up a report on these various questions which will be examined at the Spring Ministerial Meeting of the North Atlantic Council.
§ 17. This meeting will take place at the invitation of the Norwegian Government, in Oslo in May, 1961.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, we are grateful to the Foreign Secretary for the statement he has made, and we shall be able to make a study of it alongside the communiqué which will be circulated. May I ask him, first of all, whether it is not a fact that there is a very considerable volume of opinion in this country against the idea of turning N.A.T.O., in any form, into a fourth nuclear Power? And, while I note what the Foreign Secretary says, that at the present moment there is no proposal for changing the control, nevertheless it seems to be going to be discussed by the Permanent Representatives, among the other matters listed. In that connection—since we are going on Christmas vacation now, though we shall be having a debate on the 846 Motion in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Ogmore, on January 25—,would it be possible to give us, well in time for that debate, a statement, perhaps having it circulated, as to what has been done by the Permanent Representatives in this matter? Or is that going to be left until the main meeting? If so, it seems to be exceedingly late.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, on the question of a fourth nuclear Power, the noble Viscount will recollect the point which I emphasised in my statement: that I think the time has come when N.A.T.O. should review the purpose of the Alliance. It is, of course, a tactical purpose now, arid I think the N.A.T.O. Permanent Council should look at the whole question of the purpose, what weapons are necessary to achieve that purpose, and what change, if any, is needed in the system of control, or whether it should remain as it is. Now that will be a considerable field of examination, and I should anticipate that at the main meeting we shall probably get only an interim report from the Council; because, if the whole purpose has to be looked at, that will take some time. I think we can have a useful debate in January, because I should like to hear the minds of noble Lords on this subject. It will help us to make up our own minds as to what policy to follow in the future.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, might I ask the Foreign Secretary, first of all, whether the Permanent Representatives will consider the question of the political control of these weapons—which, as we all know, is one of the most difficult questions which has to be considered; and, secondly, whether, at the meeting of the Council that was held just recently, any consideration was given to the decisions of the N.A.T.O. Parliamentarian's Conference which met in Paris in November last and at which a number of your Lordships were representatives?
THE EARL OF HOMEWe have had the benefit, of course, of seeing and knowing the conclusions of the Parliamentarians who had studied this matter. Certainly I think it is the Permanent Council which, first of all at the level of permanent delegates, and then, of course, at the level of Foreign Ministers when we meet in May, will have the duty 847 of considering, as I have said, the purpose and nature of the weapons and the control—and that means, of course, the political control.