§ Q11. Mr. Rankinasked the Prime Minister if he will give an assurance that it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government that an essential condition of the continuation of the alliance with America is the existence of a guarantee against the danger of the United Kingdom being involved in a nuclear war as the result of decisions over which she has no control; and if he will convey this point to President Kennedy in their forthcoming talks.
§ The Prime MinisterAs the hon. Member is aware, the British Government's policy towards the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Alliance is well-known. No new assurances about it are required. I believe that this policy is supported by at least the majority of his hon. Friends.
§ Mr. RankinIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that one occasion comes to mind when that policy was not supported on this side of the House? Does he recollect not so long ago there was a time when we were called on to intervene in policies in which we had no shaping? Will he say to President Kennedy, gently and nicely, that we do not want to see any more Cubas taking place involving us in policies over which we have no control?
§ The Prime MinisterI think the House as a whole feels that, on this question of what the hon. Member calls a Cuba matter, the result achieved was one which maintained the peace of the world without endangering its freedom.