Nuclear Weapons

HC Deb 04 May 1959 vol 605 cc21-3

37. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent German armed forces have been or are now being supplied with, or trained in the use of, weapons with nuclear potential by Great Britain or other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Governments.

45. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what discussions have taken place recently in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation for the supply of intermediate range missiles to the West German navy; and what proposals on this subject were put forward by Her Majesty's Government's representative.

Mr. Profumo

So far as Her Majesty's Government are concerned, our policy was set out in my right hon. and learned Friend's reply to the right hon. Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. Bevan) on 2nd December last. I have nothing to add to this and to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Warbey) on 15th April and to that given him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 9th April.

Mr. Allaun

But if General Norstad insists on his policy of instant retaliation and of keeping nuclear weapons at the ready in forward bases, does it not mean that the German general will, in effect, control not only the Matador missile bases but also the missiles themselves, or at least will be able to get hold of them easily? As regards Question No. 45, has the Minister of State seen the statement by Admiral Wright that the Western German Navy will be supplied with intermediate range missiles? Is not that contrary to the treaty regulations?

Mr. Profumo

Let me answer the last part of the supplementary question first. I can assure the hon. Member that there are no plans or proposals for handing over these nuclear warheads or bombs to any individual national force in Germany.

With regard to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, General Norstad himself has stated: In order to ensure the control of these very important weapons—and I must say it, to keep faith with the Governments of N.A.T.O. —I keep in my own hands, under a very tight centralised control, the units that are equipped to use nuclear weapons.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

Have the Government altogether abandoned the proposals for total nuclear disarmament which they were pressing on the Russians until only four years ago?

Mr. Profumo

No. I was only answering the Question on the Order Paper.