HL Deb 16 March 1964 vol 256 c634

2.41 p.m.

LORD KENNET

My Lords, I beg leave 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 the committee of military experts inquiring into the necessity and feasibility of the multilateral force has yet reported, and if so, how.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD CARRINGTON)

My Lords, the Working Group which is considering the proposed multilateral force, in Paris, has now received a report on military aspects of the proposal from its Military Sub-Group in Washington.

LORD KENNET

Can the Government tell the House anything about when the Working Group itself might report, and to whom? Will it report to the Governments represented upon it, and when will it do so?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I am afraid I could not say when it will be. Of course, it will report to NATO and the Governments taking part in the discussions.

LORD KENNET

May I just confirm this point and clarify it: the Working Group will report to the NATO Council?

LORD CARRINGTON

I am not quite sure, my Lords. I should not like to commit myself specifically. I wonder whether I might write to the noble Lord to let him know.

LORD HOBSON

My Lords, can the noble Lord give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will preserve the right of veto in any of these proposals, should they be put into operation?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, that is a hypothetical question.