HC Deb 25 July 1962 vol 663 cc1472-4
29. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Defence if he will end all direct and indirect British assistance to France's nuclear weapon programme.

Mr. Thorneycroft

We have not been asked for, and are not giving, any assistance to France's nuclear weapon programme.

Mr. Allaun

Does not the Minister admit, first, that Rolls-Royce assistance to Mirage vitally helps the French nuclear weapon programme as a whole and, secondly, that the spread of nuclear weapons to other nations greatly increases the danger of war?

Mr. Thorneycroft

In my last post, I made some small contribution to helping to get the Germans, the French and ourselves jointly to develop a vertical lift engine. I considered that a sensible thing and I very much hope that nobody will be opposed to any inter-dependence of that character.

Mr. Allaun

Is the Minister suggesting that trading arrangements come before the matter of peace? That is the implication.

30. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Defence if he will give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will not supply a British guided weapons system for France's projected nuclear missile and will refrain from giving further instruction in low altitude bombing techniques to the French Air Force; and if he will ensure that no official design assistance is afforded to the French Mirage vertical take-off engine.

Mr. Thorneycroft

No, Sir.

Mr. Allaun

Does the Minister deny that Hawker Siddeley is giving the French ballistic missile organisation information based on Blue Water?

Mr. Thorneycroft

No, I do not think so. The hon. Member has an exaggerated idea of what helps the nuclear deterrent. We cannot cut off all contact with France in case any piece of knowledge might be used in that direction.

Mr. Paget

Is not the real trouble that whilst, for largely prestige reasons, we insist upon maintaining independence for ourselves in this field, it is difficult to object to anybody else seeking similar independence and that this may have tragic consequences?

Mr. Thorneycroft

That depends on what the hon. and learned Gentleman means by "object to anybody else". The French are a nuclear Power for this purpose and also they are our allies in N.A.T.O. We understand their reasons for that.

Mr. M. Foot

Does the Minister consider it a good idea that the French should be an independent nuclear Power?

Mr. Thorneycroft

We fully understand the position of the French in this matter, as they understand ours. I make no criticisms of France.

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