§ 33. Mr. Rankinasked the Prime Minister what agreement he has reached with the United States Government on the use of the Skybolt missile.
§ The Prime MinisterThe United States Government have made it clear that they will be prepared to sell the Skybolt missile to the United Kingdom Government when it has been developed.
§ Mr. RankinIn view of that Answer, can the Prime Minister assure us that there will be no strings attached to this sale, when and if it takes place? If he thinks it necessary to have Skybolt, will this country have the full use 28 of it? Can he say why he confines himself to one supplier? Has he consulted Mr. Khrushchev about whether he could supply a better missile?
§ The Prime MinisterI will bear in mind the matter referred to in the last part of the supplementary question. The missile will be entirely in our control, subject to the rules about all these sales of arms, that they must not be disposed of to other countries without the consent of the supplier Government, that they must not pass any secret information to other Governments and they should not be used for aggressive purposes.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyCan my right hon. Friend say whether what he has told us will be accepted by any other Government which may be formed in the United States?
§ The Prime MinisterOf course, it is always our problem, but I would say that when agreements are made by one Government, unless very exceptional circumstances arise between nations they are normally accepted and followed by the succeeding Governments.