§ LORD BROCKWAYMy 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 they will give an assurance that entry into the European Community will not involve the imposition of the compulsory military service practised by European Governments.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (LORD CARRINGTON)Yes, my Lords.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, in welcoming that reply may I ask the Minister whether, in view of the developments towards a coordinated defence policy in the European Community, he can give us an assurance that compulsory military service will not be introduced in this country except with the consent of Parliament?
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I know of no movement towards a coordinated defence policy in the E.E.C. at the present time, and therefore the question does not arise.
§ LORD SHINWELLMy Lords, is that really so? Is the noble Lord saying that he knows of no reference to a coordinated defence policy? Did he not suggest it himself in a speech quite recently when he talked about NATO defence and European Community defence? Is he running away from what he said?
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I know of a reference to it, but I know of no movement towards it.
§ LORD SHINWELLMy Lords, very well; but if that is so does the noble Lord suggest that it is possible to have economic unity, and proceed in the direction, as is the intention, of political unity, yet impossible to have unity as regards defence?
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, that seems to be rather far removed from the Question on the Order Paper.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, may I take it that references made by the noble Lord at the Conservative Party Conference are something of which we need to take no account at all?
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, if all the references I made to subjects of every sort and kind bore fruit, I should be very happy; but in some cases this takes longer than in others.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, is the noble Lord suggesting then that this particular reference is one which he hopes will bear fruit?
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I happen to agree with what the noble Lord, Lord Shinwell, has said, but, as I said, it seems to be rather far removed from the Question.