§ 29. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Minister of Defence what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the establishment, as now officially proposed by the United States, of a European nuclear force in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation with West German participation.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftHer Majesty's Government fully support the establishment of a multilateral or inter-allied N.A.T.O. nuclear force as envisaged in the Nassau communique.
§ Mr. ZilliacusIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the United States propose to include Western Germany in this multi-national nuclear force? Is it Her Majesty's Government's decision to support the arming in any form of Western Germany with nuclear weapons?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe Federal Republic of Germany is already a member of N.A.T.O. and nuclear launchers are already in the hands of those forces.
§ Mr. KershawWould it not be preferable to have nuclear weapons in the N.A.T.O. force than to have nuclear weapons in an alliance consisting of France and Germany alone?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThere are very many arguments in favour of including nuclear weapons in a N.A.T.O. force, as my hon. Friend says.