asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many treaties involve military obligations to overseas countries; and what are the countries to which such treaties apply.

The United Kingdom is party to a number of multilateral treaties involving military obligations to other members. The principal ones are the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the Central Treaty Organisation and the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation. The United Kingdom also has commitments to other countries under various bilateral treaties. Since the list of treaties and of the countries to which they apply is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the reason why the right hon. Gentleman is unable to furnish me with details of the military obligations undertaken by the United Kingdom the fact that it would take a long time? Can he say whether our military capabilities match up to those obligations? Woud it not be wiser—in future, at any rate—before entering into obligations which involve military action at some stage, to consider whether we are able to fulfil our obligations? May I take this opportunity of congratulating the right hon. Gentleman, and of assuring him that his appointment does not mean that he will have any privileges from this side from anybody?

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman, and I certainly accept every word of the last part of his supplementary question. My reason for not giving the full list is that it is long, as he will see when it appears in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that our military capabilities will match up to our obligations.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether, up to date, Britain has fallen down on any of her obligations?

No, Sir. I think that it is right to say that over the last few months we have shown full well that we can match up with our treaty obligations.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the Tripartite Declaration is one of the treaties that will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

No, Sir. I do not think that it is.

Following is the information:

LIST OF COUNTRIES AND TREATIES WHICH
APPLY TO THEM

Canada

• North Atlantic Treaty of 1949.

Malaysia

• Malaysia Agreement of 1963.

Pakistan

• South-East Asia Collective Defence Treaty of 1957 and Pact of Mutual Cooperation of 1955 (C.E.N.T.O.).

Cyprus

• Treaty of Establishment and Treaty of Guarantee of 1960.

Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands

• Brussels Treaty of 1948 and North Atlantic Treaty.

Denmark, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Norway

• North Atlantic Treaty.

France

• Treaty of Dunkirk of 1947, Brussels Treaty, North Atlantic Treaty.

Portugal

• North Atlantic Treaty and Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, dating from the 14th century.

Iran

• Pact of Mutual Cooperation (C.E.N.T.O.).

Libya

• Treaty of 1953.

Philippines, Thailand

• South-East Asia Collective Defence Treaty.

Turkey

• North Atlantic Treaty, Pact of Mutual Cooperation (C.E.N.T.O.).

United States of America

• North Atlantic Treaty.

Bahrain, Qatar and the Trucial Sheikdoms

• These States are in special treaty relations with the United Kingdom, under various treaties.

Australia, New Zealand

• South-East Asia Collective Defence Treaty.