HC Deb 29 May 1963 vol 678 cc1310-1
30. Mr. Swingler

asked the Lord Privy Seal what changes in the possession and control of nuclear weapons and forces will result from the agreements to which Her Majesty's Government consented at the recent North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Ministerial meeting; and what the effect of these will be on Her Majesty's Government's policy of opposing German control, or participation in control, of nuclear weapons and forces.

Mr. Heath

As stated in the communiqué, the North Atlantic Ministerial Council approved arrangements for broader participation by officers of the North Atlantic Treat Organisation member countries in nuclear activities in Allied Command Europe and in co-ocrdination of operational planning at Omaha". The arrangements for ownership and political control of nuclear weapons within the alliance remain as before. Operations of the V-bomber force will now be co-ordinated with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Mr. Swingler

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether this is a policy of deliberately spreading the control of nuclear forces and weapons to countries which at the moment have not got nuclear forces and weapons; and, in particular, is not this a departure from the policy that he has stated at the Dispatch Box several times, that Her Majesty's Government would not agree to any West German participation in control of nuclear weapons and forces? Is it not involved in this policy that we shall concede German participation in control of nuclear weapons and forces?

Mr. Heath

I said in the substantive answer that the arrangements for ownership and political control of nuclear weapons within the alliance remain as before.

Mr. Swingler

Would the right hon. Gentleman then say what is the essence of this policy? What is the meaning to be attached, therefore, to this communiqué and all the talk about multilateral or multi-national forces—a N.A.T.O. deterrent?

Mr. Heath

Because, first of all, in the staff organisation of SACEUR there will be changes in which the international spread of the officers taking part under the Nuclear Deputy Commander will have greater participation. Secondly, because the countries of the alliance, through, we hope, an extension of the consultative arrangements created at Athens a year ago will have greater information and, therefore, participation in the arrangements for this control.