HC Deb 25 July 1960 vol 627 cc1050-2
6. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, through the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, he will ask the West German Government to end agreement between German and French firms on joint production of plutonium, lithium and other raw materials for atomic and hydrogen bombs.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

No, Sir. It is no part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's function to serve as a channel for such a request. In any case, I have no evidence of such an agreement.

Mr. Allaun

Will the Foreign Secretary study the Frankfurter Rundschau of 16th February and Der Spiegel of last August which reported secret agreements between the German and French Defence Ministries covering scientific, technical and financial co-operation in the production of the French bombs?

Mr. Lloyd

I am quite satisfied with the assurance which we have received that there is no German participation in the French nuclear programme.

16. Mr. Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that no instructions will be given to the United Kingdom representative at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to support any proposal put before the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation which has as its object the provision to the West German Government of control over nuclear missiles, such as the Polaris with a range of 1,500 miles, unless and until the subject has been debated in this House.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister explained very clearly on 14th July that there is no question of the West German Government being given control of nuclear weapons.

Mr. Fletcher

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman also confirm that there is no question under any N.A.T.O. arrangements of the Polaris missile being supplied to West German forces in such a way that they can have independent use of it?

Mr. Lloyd

There is no such proposal, and I know of no intention to put such a proposal forward.

Mr. Healey

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that reports in The Times and other newspapers today state that M. Spaak has been discussing the possibility of giving the French Gov ernment outright control of Polaris missiles, to which they can fit their own warheads? Would not this constitute a dangerous precedent for West Germany?

Mr. Lloyd

This question deals with West Germany. I am not responsible for discussions which it may be alleged that M. Spaak has had with the French Government.

Mr. John Hall

Is it not a fact that the West German Government do not want Polaris?

Mr. Lloyd

I have not had any information that they want Polaris.