Atomic Shell Firing Guns

HC Deb 22 June 1954 vol 529 cc205-6

3. Mr. Hale

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether British forces are equipped with atomic shell firing guns of comparable power to those available to the United States forces in Europe.

Mr. Birch

No, Sir.

Mr. Hale

Has the Parliamentary Secretary seen the statement by an American general that these guns are available in Europe to the American forces? Can he say whether there is any agreement as to whether they shall be subject to any form of control, or whether the decision to use them in time of war would rest in the hands of the officer commanding the unit so equipped?

Mr. Birch

The decision would rest with the Supreme Allied Commander.

Mr. Hale

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the statement said that the firing power is equivalent, so far as one shell is concerned, to the firing power of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima which caused 100,000 casualties? Would it not be better to have a little more consultation and clarity as to this weapon?

Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

Has not the power of veto as regards the use of atomic weapons already been handed over carefully and neatly by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition?