§ Q5. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Prime Minister what is his policy with regard to the Franco-German claim for nuclear weapons controlled by the European Powers in the European Economic Community; and what communications have passed between him and President Kennedy on this subject in regard to a joint policy.
§ The Prime MinisterI know of no such claim. The second part of the Question therefore does not arise.
§ Mr. ZilliacusHas not the attention of the Prime Minister been drawn to the report by the United States Senate Committee, and to the very detailed reports by responsible newspaper correspondents, of the announcements both in France and in Germany—in Germany by Herr Strauss, for instance—that they do claim nuclear weapons for the Bundeswehr and that negotiations are going a long way 563 to recognising this claim? Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that in no circumstances will the Government accept any such claim as a condition for going into the Common Market?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I think that the hon. Gentleman is confusing different points. There are, of course, nuclear weapons in the N.A.T.O. command. But all of them, so far as the warheads are concerned, are under the control of the American command.
Miss LeeWill the Prime Minister keep in mind that the continuous pressure from the German high military command for control of nuclear deterrents is in direct conflict with any hope of getting an area of disengagement in Europe, and will he please exercise his utmost influence on behalf of the latter?
§ The Prime MinisterI repeat that there is confusion as to what exactly is meant by the possession of nuclear deterrents. These are very large questions which I think it would be quite wrong to discuss by way of question and answer.