§ Q2. Mr. Blakerasked the Prime Minister whether, in the course of his forthcoming discussions with President Johnson, he intends to renegotiate the Nassau Agreement.
§ The Prime MinisterThe purpose of my visit to Washington is not to negotiate so this does not arise immediately.
§ Mr. BlakerDoes the Prime Minister recall his speech on 14th January last year, and other speeches, in which he said that the party opposite would renegotiate the Nassau Agreement, in the sense of ending the proposal to purchase Polaris missiles from the United States? Will he accept our congratulations on having completely abandoned that position?
§ The Prime MinisterI am deeply touched at the assiduity with which the hon. Member reads my past speeches. I wish he would read them right through. As for the Nassau Agreement, I made it clear last December that changes would be necessary arising out of our proposals for the Atlantic Nuclear Force. If those proposals go through it will be necessary to renegotiate the Nassau Agreement. If, as a result of the current discussions in N.A.T.O., other proposals come up that we are prepared to contemplate, action on these may be necessary.