HC Deb 29 January 1958 vol 581 cc369-70
45. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Prime Minister what special instructions in the rendering safe of unfused airborne nuclear weapons have been given to the appropriate Service and civilian first-aid and civil defence units in areas of the country which are regularly flown over by Royal Air Force and United States aircraft carrying nuclear weapons.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I have been asked to reply.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave yesterday.

Mr. de Freitas

Is the Home Secretary aware that it is because of the answer he gave yesterday that I kept this Question on the Order Paper? When the right hon. Gentleman makes a full statement covering the precautions and conditions under which nuclear weapons are carried, will he cover this point?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. I promised to give consideration to that matter. I notice that the difference between the Question yesterday and today is that today the Question refers to "unfused" weapons and yesterday it referred to "fused" weapons. I have noticed that and I am considering it.