§ 41. Mr. Rankinasked the Prime Minister to what extent, in his recent discussions with Mr. Khrushchev, he discussed the effect upon Anglo-Soviet relations of the arming of West Germany with nuclear and rocket weapons.
§ The Prime MinisterMy discussions with Mr. Khrushchev were confidential. I am not prepared to say whether a particular subject was or was not discussed, beyond the general indications which have already been made public.
§ Mr. RankinIn view of the Prime Minister's widely expressed hope for a Summit Conference in the new year and his view that world tension should be reduced, will he agree that the arming of Western Germany with nuclear and rocket weapons certainly would not be a contribution towards the peaceful atmosphere in which he wants to hold a Summit Conference?
§ The Prime MinisterThere is some confusion in the expression "arming Germany with nuclear weapons". The German troops and German armies stand in the field with their allies and comrades. They are armed with similar weapons, but, of course, all of these are under the control, so far as the warheads are concerned, of the United States.