WESTERN EUROPEAN DEFENCE

HC Deb 14 October 1968 vol 770 cc22-3W

Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what recent consultations have been held and other action taken within Western European Union for the strengthening of Western European defence; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mulley

Western European defence was discussed at the joint meeting between the Permanent Council of Western European Union and the Defence Questions and Armaments Committee of the Assembly at Bonn on the 20th of September. This subject will also be discussed at the session of the Western European Union Assembly this week. Continuous consultation between Governments, including those of Western European Union, has, of course, taken place within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to which the Western European Union Governments have entrusted arrangements for collective defence.