§ 9. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to reduce expenditure on nuclear weapons.
§ 45. Mr. Ormeasked the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated saving on nuclear weapons is likely to be as a result of Her Majesty's Government's new policy.
§ Mr. HealeyI have nothing to add to what I said in my speech in this House last Monday.
§ Mrs. ShortIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is very grave concern in this House and in the country at the distortion of our national economy caused by the burden of over £2,000 million a year being spent on armaments, thrust upon the people of this country by the previous Administration, and will he make these views known on his forthcoming visit to Washington?
§ Mr. HealeyThe hon. Lady will know that I made this point myself last week.
§ Mr. OrmeWill my right hon. Friend also bear in mind that any saving on nuclear weapons which comes about should be redirected to strengthening the economy and the social services at home, which are so essential at the present time, and that his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said that military strength depends on economic strength at home?
§ Mr. HealeyAs to the last part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I think that he was quoting the words which I used myself in the debate last Monday. As to the first part, I would say that it will be Her Majesty's Government's intention to make sure that this country has the defences required to ensure its own security and influence in the world, and this must be the first call on defence savings.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWill the right hon. Gentleman do nothing to accede to these requests and make quite certain that he will do nothing to damage the defence of our country?
§ 38. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the total direct and indirect expenditure this year on nuclear weapons; and what proposals he has for reducing it.
§ Mr. HealeyIt would not be in the public interest to disclose these figures. As I have explained, it is too early for me to announce publicly our future plans for nuclear weapons.
§ Mr. AllaunIs it not a fact that any attempt to keep up with the United States or Russia in the nuclear arms race would worsen the financial mess left by the previous Government?
§ Mr. HealeyAs I pointed out in the defence debate last week, it is essential that Britain should decide which of its major defence rôles shall have priority. I indicated that it should not be the nuclear one.
§ Sir Rolf Dudley WilliamsWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire of the Colonial Secretary as to whether he put up his Parliamentary Private Secretary to ask this Question?