HC Deb 08 February 1961 vol 634 cc381-2
20. Mr. Millan

asked the Minister of Defence if he will make a statement on the Government's policy with regard to the United States proposal that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation should be provided with a medium-range ballistic missile multilateral force.

Mr. Watkinson

No, Sir.

Mr. Millan

Is the Minister aware that there is still a great deal of vagueness about the proposal? Are not we entitled to know what the Government think about it? Is he aware that there is a considerable feeling that N.A.T.O. should not be made into a fourth nuclear power?

Mr. Watkinson

My right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal made a fairly full statement on the Government's present position on 20th December. I have nothing to add to that at the moment, because negotiations are still going on.

Mr. M. Foot

In view of the fact that nobody could understand the Lord Privy Seal's statement on that occasion, will the Minister now tell us whether the British Government are in fact so opposed to the proposal for putting some of these Polaris weapons into Europe?

Mr. Watkinson

I confess that I find equal difficulty in understanding the hon. Member's contribution to defence questions.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Wall.

Hon. Members

Answer.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I have called the next Question. We are not getting on very well.