§ 25. Mr. Wiggasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now stated an operational requirement for small atomic weapons for the Army's tactical use.
§ Mr. SoamesI am sorry not to be able to be more forthcoming with the hon. Gentleman, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose this information.
§ Mr. WiggWhile I can understand the right hon. Gentleman's diffidence, could he not tell us a little more than this? For example, an operational requirement has been stated for the Corporal, and we have got it. Is anything else being done, 1341 or is the field being left because of shortages of material resources or shortage of money?
§ Mr. SoamesNo, Sir. As the hon. Gentleman knows, we have two Corporal regiments at the moment, but our future plans in this field are very sensitive from the security point of view. I can reassure my hon. Friend that this field of development is not being overlooked, but I think it would be wrong of me at this time to give any precise information.