HC Deb 13 November 1957 vol 577 cc949-50
56. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Minister of Defence if, in view of recent events, he proposes to issue a revised interim defence White Paper.

Mr. Sandys

No. Sir.

Mr. Hughes

Does not the Minister agree that recent developments in rocket warfare and inter-continental ballistic missiles have made a great deal of this White Paper completely obsolete and out of date? Does not he think that he should clarify the position in view of recent developments?

Mr. Sandys

My conclusion is exactly opposite. Recent developments have strikingly confirmed the rightness of the basis of the White Paper policy, which was the assumption that we are now moving into a period where rockets and guided missiles will play a major part in military affairs.

Mr. Beswick

Are we to take it that the Minister of Defence did not, after all, listen to his right hon. Friend the Member for Carshalton (Mr. Head) when he spoke last Thursday?

Mr. Sandys

I do not think that my right hon. Friend referred to Sputniks at all during his speech.

Mr. S. Silverman

If the Minister did not listen to his right hon. Friend, will he at any rate listen to himself? Will he re-read the admirable speech on this subject which he made to the Annual Conference of the Conservative Party at Brighton, and having re-read it, will he reconsider the Answer he has just given to my hon. Friend? Does not the Minister's own speech show how ineffective is the policy advocated in the White Paper for which he was responsible some months ago?

Mr. Sandys

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will have an opportunity to develop his ideas on a later occasion.