§ 7. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date he was informed by the United States Government that the combat alert called for the eve of the summit meeting was a routine test; and what subsequent communications he has received on this matter from the United States Government.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydAs my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary said in answer to Questions on 2nd June, this alert was a routine test of the efficiency of United States communications, and there was accordingly no need for consultation between the two Governments. As far as the second part of the Question is concerned, the answer is "None, Sir."
§ Mr. SwinglerHas not the Foreign Office examined the testimony on 2nd June of Mr. Thomas Gates, United States Defence Secretary, to the Senate Investigating Committee, and the report of that Committee, in which it was made clear that the Defence Secretary of the United States claimed that this was not a routine alert, but had been specially called on a certain political analysis by the United States Government?
§ Mr. LloydI would also refer the hon. Gentleman to what the President of the United States said about this matter—that they were away from their normal command posts, and in the circumstances he agreed to a test of the continuous readiness of military communications.
§ Mr. MellishWill the Minister take it from a number of us on this side of the House that somes of us are very worried about the Americans being so jittery? Indeed, their jitters give us the jitters.