HC Deb 05 March 1958 vol 583 cc1163-4
36. Mr. S. O. Davies

asked the Minister of Defence if he will now state how many squadrons, and the strength of each squadron, of American-made ballistic missiles will be stationed in Britain; where they will be based; what precise arrangements have been come to as to what power will decide when such missiles are to be fired; and to what extent Great Britain and the United States of America, respectively, will be responsible for the costs of building and maintaining such bases.

38. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Defence on how many occasions the Thor missile has been tested.

The Minister of Defence (Mr. Duncan Sandys)

I cannot add anything to the information given on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air in the defence debate last week.

Mr. Davies

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the statement made last week, to which he has referred, represents the considered judgment and decision of all the members of the Government?

Mr. Sandys

The hon. Gentleman's Question to me asked how many squadrons there were, the strength of each squadron and things of that kind. The considered judgment was that it would not be in the public interest to give that information.

Mr. Rankin

Can the Minister of Defence say if it is the case that this missile has been tested on ten occasions, but that on five of those occasions the test was completely unsuccessful? Is not it the case that the weapon has also been rejected by the American Army as being obsolescent, and, as far as they are concerned, in their view, far safer in Britain than in America? Has the right hon. Gentleman studied the debate yesterday, in which we were told that we have a missile project of our own, the Polaris, which is far more effective and efficient than the obsolete and unpredictable Thor?

Mr. Sandys

It seems that the hon. Gentleman has been reading the newspapers, and has not been reading HANSARD very carefully.

Mr. de Freitas

Will the Minister reread HANSARD and see whether he can answer this question? Is not it a fact that everywhere outside this Government the Thor is regarded as a highly inefficient missile, and is not it ridiculous to waste £10 million on bringing it over here?

Mr. Sandys

I am sure that most people were surprised how small the sum was.

Mr. M. Stewart

Can the Minister assure the House that the criticisms of this weapon which have been published by the leading Conservative newspaper in this country are unjustified?

Mr. Sandys

It is a well accustomed rule in this House that Ministers are not expected to comment on newspaper reports.