HC Deb 03 May 1956 vol 552 cc56-7W
50. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to develop economic and cultural co-operation between the member States of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in accordance with Article 2 of the Treaty.

Lord John Hope

Collaboration between member Governments in the sense of Article 2 takes place not only within N.A.T.O. itself, but in many international organisations and by bilateral agreements between countries. The Permanent Council has been actively reviewing the whole question of non-military co-operation within N.A.T.O., and there will be further discussions when the Foreign Ministers meet in Paris tomorrow. I can assure the hon. Member that Her Majesty's Government are playing a full and constructive part.

51. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that within the last three months official speeches advocating closer co-operation in the economic and political fields by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries have been made by Presidents Eisenhower and Gronchi, and by Messrs. Adenauer. von Brentano, Dulles, Lange, Martino, Mollet, Pearson, Pineau, and Spaak; and whether he will make a public statement before the meeting of the North Atlantic Council on Friday, 4th May.

Lord John Hope

My right hon. and learned Friend will make his views known in the North Atlantic Council itself.