HL Deb 01 February 1968 vol 288 cc866-7

3.12 p.m.

LORD THURLOW

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 when the White Paper on the proposed changes in the role, size and shape of the Forces, referred to by the Prime Minister in paragraph 18 of Cmnd. 3515, will be published.]

THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (LORD SHACKLETON)

My Lords, the decisions taken by Her Majesty's Government on defence, which were announced on January 16, will result in major changes in the role, size and shape of the Forces, their equipment and supporting facilities, and it will take some time to plan all this in detail. It will not, therefore, be possible to deal with more than the broad implications of these changes in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1968, which will be published later this month, but a Supplementary Statement, in which progress will be reported, will be presented later in the year.

LORD THURLOW

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for that Answer. May I ask whether he is aware that there is growing apprehension throughout the Services about the coming cuts, so that it is important that the Government's proposals as to amalgamations and reductions should be made as soon as possible?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I have noted the noble Lord's point.

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether it is the Government's intention to produce the Supplementary Statement before the Summer Recess?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I am afraid I cannot answer exactly when that Statement will be produced. Undoubtedly, for reasons of the kind mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Thurlow, the Government are anxious to publish the Statement as soon as possible.

LORD ST. OSWALD

My Lords, would the noble Lord give some assurance that when the Supplementary Statement is published it will be announced through a ministerial Statement to Parliament, rather than through what has now become the normal channels; namely, a Press leak? Will the noble Lord answer that question?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I do not know whether the noble Lord regards that as a serious question. I think he is just trying to pull the Government's leg. If he reads what the Prime Minister said, and will read again what I have said, he will see that this refers to a proper Defence Statement which will be published as a White Paper.