§ 125. Mr. Shinwellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in what circumstances Her Majesty's Government consented to the appointment of General Spiedel as Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation land forces; and what were the instructions to our representative on that body when the matter was under consideration.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreNo announcement of the appointment of a new Commander Land Forces Central Europe (COMLANDCENT) has yet been made by the Supreme Allied Commander. SACEUR consulted Her Majesty's Government, who indicated that they were in favour of the appointment of a German officer. It is understood that the German authorities are nominating General Speidel, who in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government would be a good choice. As the Federal Republic will shortly have a substantial and increasing national contingent on the Central front, it is reasonable and desirable that this post should be filled by a German officer.