HL Deb 25 October 1972 vol 335 cc2141-3

2.36 p.m.

LORD BROCKWAY

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 they have yet reached a decision, in association with their NATO allies to be represented at the projected meeting at Helsinki on November 22 to prepare for a Conference on European Security and Co-operation.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, as my noble friend Lady Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie made clear in her reply to a similar Question from the noble Lord on September 20, the Finnish invitation causes us no difficulty. The Finnish Government are aware of this. But the date has still to be accepted by all the Governments concerned. As she said on September 20, we must keep in step with our allies.

LORD BROCKWAY

Yes, my Lords; but is it not the case that the NATO Governments have this week agreed to participate in the Helsinki preparatory Conference, and have accepted the date of November 22? May I ask the Minister whether Her Majesty's Government would now change the rather lukewarm attitude with which Governments have approached this proposal for six years, and seek to make it a breakthrough in the beginning of peace relations between East and West?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I think I can agree with what the noble Lord has said, and that we want to see this Conference proceed on a thoroughly practical and, we hope, constructive basis. What he said about the North Atlantic Council's meeting this week is substantially correct, and there was a report on this meeting in The Times yesterday. I think that I can say that it seems very likely that, in practice, there will be no difficulty about the date of November 22, but I understand that there are still one or two points which remain to be cleared up.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, in the light of what the noble Marquess has said, when would he expect to be able to tell Parliament that the Government have decided specifically to go to this meeting?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I think I can tell the noble Lord now that if, as we all hope, the meeting should take place on November 22, the Government will be there.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for his second reply, which was much more reassuring and complete, may I ask him whether Her Majesty's Government's conception of the proposed European Conference on Security and Co-operation is of just one Conference, or whether they endorse the idea that there should be continuing commissions which would seek progressively to bring about agreement between the East and West?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I think that I would need to have notice of that specific question. Of course, as the noble Lord realises, this is only a preparatory Conference we are talking about; but if the arrangements to be made at this Conference are satisfactory then I understand that a specific Conference will be held, probably in June of next year. However, I should not like to go further than that at the moment.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess whether, if and when this Security Conference is held, the French Government will be represented? If not, what is the use of talking about security in Europe without the support of the French Government?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I do not think that I can answer to-day for what the French Government's views on participation at the Conference next June will be, but I will certainly take account of what the noble Lord has said.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, is it not the case that the French Government have already indicated their support for this Conference?

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, in that case, may I ask the noble Marquess how the French Government can be associated with a Security Conference when the Conference envisages the representation of the NATO allies? As France has contracted out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, how can she be represented?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I think it is envisaged that this Conference will consist of something like 32 or 33 different nations.

LORD WYNNE-JONES

My Lords, is it not true that, although the French Government have contracted out of NATO, they never cease to be represented at all meetings?