§ 2.38 p.m.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what decisions were made at the meeting of Defence Ministers at Brussels on December 3 regarding NATO guide-lines on initiating nuclear warfare in Europe.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, R.A.F. (LORD W1NTERBOTTOM)My Lords, the defence Ministers adopted two policy documents 551 concerning guide-lines for nuclear consultation procedure and for the defensive tactical use of nuclear weapons in the NATO area.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. Is it not the case that these guide-lines authorised a first strike by NATO forces with tactical nuclear weapons? Is this not very dangerous and inviting a retort by any enemy by the use of full nuclear power?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, my noble friend has misunderstood the situation. The policy of Her Majesty's Government has not altered at all since the strategy of flexible response was adopted by NATO in December, 1967. The present decisions have in no way altered that policy but have simply defined with greater precision the procedures that should be followed. The doctrine of flexible response implies that this country or our allies will not be the first country to use nuclear weapons.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, could my noble friend extend that point? Can he confirm, because it would bring reassurance, that these guide-lines do not lay down that NATO forces will be the first to use tactical nuclear weapons if met by a mass conventional force?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I can only say that the strategy of flexible response laid down in 1967 applies to-day as it did then.