CRITICISM OF BRITAIN

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28434, 14 November 1957, Page 15

CRITICISM OF BRITAIN

Cuts In Forces • In Europe

(Rec. 11 p.m.) PARIS. Nov. 13. The 15-nation N.A.T.O. conference today will discuss a report which criticises Britain's decision to withdraw troops from the Continent and to rely mainly on atomic weapons. The report says this will weaken the N.A.T.O. shield, which is already “disturbingly weak.” The report on military policy in a nuclear age warns that Continental countries may veer still further away from N.A.T.O. unless there is agreement on a common conception of defence. Britain’s Reply Britain did not want to evade her commitment tn maintain four divisions and a tactical Air Force on the mainland of Europe, the

British Labour Party's shadow Cabinet defence spokesman. Mr George Brown, said last night. Mr Brown released a speech he had prepared for delivery at today's session of the meeting. He said that unfortunately a British Government White Paper had led some people to believe Britain thought a bomb delivered on Moscow would be an effective defence. “The real fact is that N.A.T.O forces in Europe are the means by which Britain will be defended against an attack launched in Europe.” Mr Brown said. “Such an attack must be met by troops on the ground. This need for ground troops is fully understood in Britain and there is no inclination to evade our full responsibility in the matter.” Mr Brown said that the results achieved by N.A.T.O. in the standardisation of equipment and Weapons- were pitiful.