§ Q5. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Prime Minister whether the understanding he now has with President Kennedy that neither Government will use nuclear weapons in any part of the world without consulting the other includes an 276 undertaking by the United States Administration not to fire Polaris missiles from United States submarines anywhere on the high seas without such consultation.
§ The Prime MinisterIn addition to the special agreement which I announced in November, 1960, for the use of Holy Loch facilities the Polaris submarines are included in the general understanding with the President of the United States to which I referred last week.
§ Mr. ZilliacusThe Prime Minister said that this understanding was the same as it had been under the previous administration. Is it not a fact that the last time a claim of this sort was made it was repudiated by Washington? Has there been a new agreement specifically covering the question of Polaris missiles from United States submarines on the 'high seas? If not, what becomes of this obligation about consultation? If there is one, when was it concluded and what is its nature?
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to what I have said about the special agreement on Polaris submarines. There is a general understanding between us that every effort has been made and will be made for the closest consultation. It stands to reason. Can anyone imagine the head of a democratic State which is a nuclear Power letting loose these weapons without consultation with an allied State which is also a nuclear Power?
§ Q8. Dr. A. Thompsonasked the Prime Minister whether he will consult President Kennedy with a view to submitting to the United Nations a joint proposal for avoiding the further development of national nuclear forces.
§ The Prime MinisterIt has been agreed that the question of the non-dissemination of nuclear weapons will be discussed by the Disarmament Conference when it reassembles this month, and a report on the Conference's work will be presented to the General Assembly at the next session.
§ Dr. ThompsonWill the Prime Minister say whether or not he agrees with the growing volume of military opinion, particularly in the last six months, that the nuclear deterrent is too indiscriminate and dangerous a weapon for the 277 pursuit of purely national objectives in order to satisfy considerations of empty national prestige, and that a comparatively weak national nuclear force affords the maximum of risk and the minimum of security?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman has read a very interesting statement which I would prefer to study before I say whether I agree with it or not. I agree that all forms of weapons are very dangerous and that all forms of war— many of us have suffered from them— whether conventional or unconventional, are very unpleasant and that the object of all policy should be to see that wars do not take place and that disarmament is proceeded with.