§ 4. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Minister of Defence to what extent it is now the policy of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to equip West German forces with tactical atomic weapons.
§ Mr. SandysI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given him on 21st April last by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
§ Mr. StonehouseIs the Minister aware of the widespread public dismay at the fact that the new German Army is to have access to these tools of mass destruction and because of the belief that the so-called safeguards are worthless because, before long, the Germans will be able to manufacture the warheads themselves? Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that in no circumstances would any German have the authority to give the order to use these arms?
§ Mr. SandysIn the first place, the weapons in question will, of course, be American weapons and the warheads will be under American custody. I think that answers most of the hon. Gentleman's questions. With regard to the manufacture of these weapons in Germany, the German Government renounced any right to manufacture such weapons in Germany.
§ Mr. ShinwellWill the right hon. Gentleman make the point clear that, in fact, these tactical atomic weapons are not under the control of the Federal German Government but, technically, under the control of the American forces?
§ Mr. SandysIf it is necessary, I shall be glad to make that clear. I thought I said in reply to the hon. Gentleman that these would be American weapons and that the nuclear warheads would be under American custody.