HC Deb 20 June 1960 vol 625 cc24-5
30. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Minister of Aviation what further progress has now been made with the Blue Steel, the British stand-off bomb.

Mr. Sandys

I have nothing to add to the information given to the hon. Member on 25th May.

Mr. Wyatt

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why the Minister of Defence misled the House in the Blue Streak debate by referring to Blue Steel as being the bomb now being fitted, when it will not be ready for years? Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long before 1965 it will be before it is in service? Or is it intended to go on beyond that date, as it has now been discovered that Skybolt cannot be fitted to Mark II Victor bombers?

Mr. Sandys

The hon. Gentleman should address questions about the Minister of Defence's speech to the Minister of Defence. I do not accept the interpretation which he has put upon it. His Question has nothing to do with the Minister of Defence's speech. It is about progress being made with Blue Steel. The hon. Gentleman has had experience of a Service Department and he knows that it would be quite improper for me to give any dates of when new weapons are to come into service. It is a very good rule to leave foreign intelligence services to do their own work.