HC Deb 12 February 1958 vol 582 cc363-4
4. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Minister of Defence the maximum firepower, as compared with the Hiroshima bomb, of the tactical atomic weapons being distributed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces with the assent of Her Majesty's Government; on whose decision they may be used; to what extent their use is assimilated to that of conventional arms and not subject to the political restrictions applied to the use of strategic nuclear weapons; and whether he will make a statement.

23. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Defence what agreements or understandings exist between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government about political control of the use of tactical atomic weapons; and if these agreements treat such weapons on the same basis as strategic nuclear weapons.

Mr. Sandys

These are operational matters which I would prefer not to discuss in public.

Mr. Zilliacus

Cannot the Minister of Defence give some indication of the distinction between tactical atomic weapons and nuclear weapons? Is it, for instance, correct that N.A.T.O. generals have stated that a tactical atomic weapon is a nuclear weapon with up to two-and-a-half times the firepower of the Hiroshima bomb? Surely there is no military secret about that; it is a matter of definition.

Mr. Sandys

It would obviously be giving away a military secret to say exactly what the strength of the bomb is. If I had to describe off the cuff the difference between a tactical and a strategic weapon, I should say that a tactical weapon is one which is designed to be used in direct support of the land battle.

Mr. Swingler

Will the Minister of Defence address himself to the question of control over the use of these weapons? Has not it been disclosed that the Government have an understanding or agreement that H-bombs may not be used without the consent of the Cabinet? Has not that been revealed? We want to know, in view of the power of the tactical atomic weapons in the hands of the forces in Western Europe, what the political understanding or agreement is about the consent or authority which has to be given for the use of such weapons.

Mr. Sandys

I do not think it desirable that I should discuss what the arrangements within N.A.T.O. are. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] I am sure that the Soviet Government would be just as much interested in the answer as the hon. Member is.