HC Deb 02 June 1960 vol 624 cc1613-4
7. .Dr. D. Johnson

asked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, what recent reports he has received from the Scientific Attaché at Her Majesty's Embassy in Moscow regarding the latest Russian achievements in the sphere of rocket projection.

Sir D. Eccles

Rocket propulsion is generally regarded as a military subject and lies outside the field of the Scientific Attaché.

Dr. Johnson

As my noble Friend the Minister of Science must receive infor- mation of some kind which is of interest both to himself and to us all, would my right hon. Friend none the less consider issuing an authoritative statement from time to time assessing Russian performance with rockets? Many people would have considered that of particular value at the time of the U2 incident in giving us all some guidance in assessing both the truth of the incident and the Russian performance at the time.

Sir D. Eccles

I will inform my noble Friend of my hon. Friend's suggestion.