HC Deb 27 February 1967 vol 742 cc13-4W
87. Mr. Peel

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the recommendation from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Parliamentarians' Conference that it should be converted into an official Atlantic Assembly, he will take the initiative in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to seek to bring this about.

Mr. George Thomson

This recommendation is already being considered by the North Atlantic Council. I agree that we should work towards the objective of an Atlantic Assembly but the agreement of the whole Alliance would be needed for it to be given effect.

92. Mr. Longden

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress is being made with the study by the North Atlantic Ministerial Council and the future tasks facing the Alliance and the procedures for fulfilling them; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. George Thomson

On 15th February I attended a meeting of the North Atlantic Council which discussed the way in which the Council Resolution on the Future Tasks of the Alliance should be put into effect. The meeting proposed that a special high level group should make an interim report to Ministers in June and a final report in December. This procedure was agreed subject to confirmation by Governments.