HL Deb 19 September 1972 vol 335 cc867-9

2.42 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 what is the purpose of the unusually expensive current NATO exercise in the North Atlantic and Norwegian Sea.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)

My Lords, NATO is at present holding exercise "Strong Express" throughout the Northern Atlantic area. It is designed to test and develop NATO capabilities for rapid reaction and reinforcement to strengthen the Alliance's defensive position in this vital area.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that Answer. May I ask her this question? Does she not agree that it is ironic that at a moment of developing détente and the hope of an all-European security, both NATO and also the Warsaw Pact countries should at this moment be holding the largest military manœuvres for four years? Cannot there be some co-ordination between the political and military factors in such a situation?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, as the House knows, NATO is a defensive alliance and one of its main aims is to promote détente. This will not be achieved unless we keep the right military balance by a properly tested defensive system. That is what is happening now. So far as the Warsaw Pact countries are concerned. apparently they do not think that their very large exercise, Shield 72, which is now being held, is inconsistent with their advocacy of a C.S.C.E.

LORD BARNBY

My Lords, would my noble friend not agree that it is in our interests that these NATO exercises, both on our Northern and Southern flanks, should continue? Whatever we do will not change the fact that the Warsaw Pact will continue, and our defence should be conducted regardless of the fact that we have as Allies countries with whose international affairs we do not agree. Surely we remember that in the last war we were willing to receive Russia, who is as great a despot as any country, as an Ally.

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, I am sure that our position at a conference on security and co-operation in Europe will in fact be strengthened if we show ourselves ready to keep an adequate military balance.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for her further reply, may I ask whether the NATO exercise inclues a rehearsal of the use of nuclear weapons?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

No, my Lords.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness whether this exercise undertaken by NATO, together with the recent visit of the Minister of Defence to Greece and the observations that he made about the importance of Greece in the NATO set-up, indicate any apprehension of further trouble in this area? May I also ask whether the French were associated with this NATO exercise.

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, on the first point, it is not anticipated at this moment that there will be further trouble in the area to which the noble Lord refers. The French are in fact taking part in a minesweeping exercise on this particular operation.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, do I understand from the reply of the noble Baroness to my second Question, about French participation in the NATO exercise, that all the French are doing is undertaking a minesweeping exercise? Are we then to regard France, in the sphere of defence or deterrent against aggression, as a suitable partner?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, I am sure that if the noble Lord was on a merchant ship he would be very thankful for French minesweeping operations.

LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORD

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that, in view of the alarming disparity in conventional arms between the NATO Powers and the Warsaw Pact Powers, it is very desirable that the NATO Powers should show that such conventional arms as they have they are able to use?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, I quite agree. It is one of the purposes of this exercise to keep ourselves in trim for any future difficulties.