Brussels Treaty (Amendments)

HC Deb 31 May 1961 vol 641 cc24-5W

Mr. Warbey

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will furnish a list of the amendments made since 1954 to the revised Brussels Treaty in so far as they provide for relaxations of the restrictions on the manufacture of armaments by the German Federal Republic.

Mr. Heath

Article II of Protocol No. III of the Revised Brussels Treaty provides that the Treaty restrictions on the manufacture of armaments by the Federal Republic (except for those relating to atomic, biological or chemical weapons) may be amended by a resolution of the Council of the Western European Union passed by a two-thirds majority, if the competent Supreme Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation recommends such amendment in accordance with the needs of the armed forces.

In accordance with the above procedure Annex III of Protocol No. III of the revised Brussels Treaty has been amended on four occasions since 1954 to permit construction in the Federal Republic of Germany of certain conventional weapons, as follows:

1. (a) On the 9th May, 1958, for guided anti-tank missiles.
2. (b) On the 16th October, 1958, for a training ship of 4,800 to 5,000 tons displacement.
3. (c) On the 21st October, 1959, for surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles for anti-aircraft defence.
4. (d) On the 24th May, 1961, for:
   1. (i) Influence mines;
   2. (ii) Eight destroyers of up to 6,000 tons displacement to be equipped with tactical missiles for sea combat;
   3. (iii) Naval auxiliaries of up to 6,000 tons displacement.