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Foreign Affairs

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Speaker, of the speech I made on 22nd January, when the policy in connection with Western Union was announced. I emphasised then that we were not con- cerned with a geographical conception of Europe alone, but that we had to look further afield. I went on to speak of the need for the closest possible collabora- tion with the Commonwealth and the overseas territories of the European Powers. I also pointed out that the United States and the countries of Latin America are clearly as much a part of our common Western civilisation as the nations of the British Commonwealth.

Foreign Affairs HOUSE OF COMMONS

[MR. BEVIN.] therefore not helping all that we might. The fact is that there was a luxury market in this country in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The French must appreciate that that luxury market has gone. It is no use trying to hang on to something which one cannot have in any event. Britain, with her new needs, with her greater equality of income, will for a long time be a necessity market. I therefore appeal to my friends in France to shape their economy to meet a necessity market, rather than a non- essential one. Later, after Labour has won the next election and things have improved, incomes may go up. Probably universal purchasing power-

Professor Savory (Queen's University of Belfast): Surely the right hon. Gentle- man does not call books a luxury? Do let us have some French books.

Mr. Bevin: If the hon. Member only knew what was going through my wicked mind.

Mr. Eden: We know.

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Mr. Bevin: These interjections are a little unfair; they strike

too humorously. The necessity market must be catered for, and if that is done I think that we can arrive at a solution of this problem.

One other thing in connection with Western Union is that we cannot settle this problem with resolutions, whoever they are carried by, or however diver- sified they may be. One of the funda- mental things which we have to get right in all the countries of Western Europe is financial stability. If we can get finan- cial stability and a proper economic plan for Western Europe-we must have such a plan if we are to have harmonisation at all-

Mr. Gallacher: The right hon. Gentle- man cannot get it.

Mr. Bevin: I think we can make great progress. The Council of the O.E.E.C. will be meeting, and further meetings will be held. I am sure that by discussion and examination we shall be able to arrive at agreement and take a great step forward.

I now turn to the political side. I may at this stage remind you, Mr. Deputy

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The powers and resources of the United States, indeed I would say the powers and resources of all the countries on the Continent of America, will be needed if we are to create a solid, stable and healthy world. It is in this order of ideas that the Government have been energetically striving during the past year to advance the cause of Western Union. The response throughout the Western world has been gratifying. While the task we set ourselves is as yet far from complete, I think we can look back upon solid progress.

First, the co-operation of the Brussels Powers has been developed. It has been achieved during the nine months in every field through constant meetings of the Consultative Council, Finance Ministers, Defence Ministers and, at the official level, of the Permanent Commission, the military committees and committees on social and cultural affairs. The deter- mination of the Brussels Powers to defend themselves has been reflected in the agreement of the Defence Ministers of 18th September on a common Defence policy and the establishment of a com- mon command and a permanent organi- sation to deal with the problems of equipment and supply. I regard that as absolutely fundamental for the achieve- ment of success in Western Union.

Secondly, in accordance with the development of this idea of regional understanding and collective security, we have had extensive discussions between the Five Powers. In the end we agreed to inform the United States Government that we are in favour of the principle of a North Atlantic Pact. Since I last addressed the House in September, much preparatory work has been done on this project, and will, I hope, come to fruition

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Foreign Affairs ve shortly. The House will have seen from the Press this morning that talks are expected to begin in Washington in the next few days.

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9 DECEMBER 1948

Foreign Affairs should be an effective understanding bound to- gether by common ideals for which the Western Powers have twice in one generation shed their blood."-[OFFICIAL REPORT, 22nd January, 1948; Vol. 446, c. 397.] With this end in view the Government proposed at the meeting in Paris last October of the consultative council of the Brussels Treaty that there should be a European Council of Ministers meet- ing at regular intervals to provide a forum for dealing with the problems that are common to them. The French and Belgian Governments proposed the creation of a European Assembly with- out executive power. It is necessary I think at this point to remind the House of the decision which the consultative council took.

If we reach a successful conclusion, as I have every confidence in believing we shall, such a Pact will give a wide and important area of the world an oppor- tunity of entering into a system of col- lective security. What is more important it will give confidence, particularly to the Western European Powers, and I know of nothing which will give us a chance to proceed to end the age-long struggle between Germany and France and pro- vide a guarantee of confidence in France to the future so much as this Atlantic Pact. It will help us to surmount an enormous number of difficulties which we are trying to surmount.

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But I wish to submit to the House a further consideration in this matter, which is vital. All these instruments which unfortunately have to be provided to defend ourselves today are mendously costly. To try to maintain an adequate Navy, Air Force and Army is almost too big a burden for any one country to carry by itself, that is if it is to stand by itself. Once we can, in the West, get this basis of collective security with the United States and Canada and the Western Powers, and others if they will come in, it should be possible to work out a rationalised system of de- fence so that while we assure our collec- tive defence we shall not be draining off. too much manpower from our economic resources and the development of our economic requirements.

I make this prophecy; I am quite cer- tain that before many years have passed it will be found it will not be done by me but it will be found that the de- fence Ministers and the finance Ministers of the Western world particularly will be sitting down together discussing common budget and a common task and a common method of defence in order that they may protect themselves and carry it upon the resources of their own countries. It will be inevitable and it will come.

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Thirdly, we are in favour of extending the principle of the Western system in Europe. I said on 22nd January:

Our formal relations with the various countries may differ but between all there

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This Committee had terms of refer- ence and I gather there has been a good deal of misunderstanding about them. They were

"To consider and report to Governments on the steps to be taken towards securing a greater of unity between European

measure countries "

and

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to take into consideration all suggestions in- cluding the Franco-Belgium suggestion for a Consultative Assembly and the British sugges- tion for a 'Council of Europe' consisting of ministers of the various States concerned, and any other suggestions which may be advanced by Governments or private organisations." This Committee is exploratory. It is fact- finding. It is endeavouring to find out what is in everybody's mind. It was de- cided at the Consultative Council that the Committee's report should come before them at the next meeting. It is at this stage that the Governments will have to make their decisions as to what is the organisation. best form in which to develop this

The Committee is now at work. It is really a working party.

I have seen criticisms of the personnel we appointed on it but they are people with experience. It is led by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and I know that they are all working very hard. [Interruption.] Let me say this. If the Prime Minister of this country takes a member into his Cabinet he takes him into his Cabinet to do the jobs that that Cabinet needs to do.

Major Tufton Beamish (Lewes): And to keep him quiet.