HC Deb 23 January 1963 vol 670 cc62-3
15. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Minister of Defence what is now the position with regard to the Skybolt missile.

Mr. Thorneycroft

The United States Government are terminating all production in connection with the Skybolt programme.

Mr. Wyatt

Will the Minister say what consideration has been given to the possibility of extending the range of Blue Steel and perhaps developing a further type of British air missile? Could he also explain why he thinks he is any more likely to get Polaris than Skybolt?

Mr. Thorneycroft

That is quite a different series of questions.

16. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Defence if, in view of the renewed failure of the Skybolt missile, he will make a statement on its future role in Bomber Command.

Mr. Thorneycroft

The question no longer arises since Her Majesty's Government have announced their intention not to proceed with the Skybolt missile.

Mr. Rankin

If the right hon. Gentleman followed Questions he would know that this Question was put down long before that decision was reached. Will he tell us whether he disagreed or agreed with the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Sir A. V. Harvey), who is chairman of the Tory back bench defence committee, when he said that Skybolt was a perfectly efficient weapon? In view of that, why did not the Government take Skybolt when they got the chance of having it? Was it because Polaris, which is still unproved, will be cheaper than Skybolt would have been?

Mr. Thorneycroft

This Question asked what its future role is in Bomber Command. It has not got one.

Mr. Rankin

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I have your guidance on this matter?

Mr. Speaker

Either it is a point of order or it is not. I do not give guidance free of charge.

Mr. Rankin

May I have your guidance on this matter, Mr. Speaker? Hon. Members often put down Questions which are not reached until long after they are tabled. Surely we are entitled to an answer to the supplementary question which arises from the Question, whether the right hon. Gentleman seeks to evade it or not?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order. It is not for this reason, that the Chair has no power to compel a Minister to give any answer of any kind, good or bad.