HC Deb 15 February 1965 vol 706 cc822-3
9. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the future of the Atlantic Nuclear Force.

10. Mr. G. Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in discussions with other Governments concerning the proposed Atlantic Nuclear Force; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Healey

Consultation with our Allies is continuing, and we are hopeful of making further progress in coming months.

Mr. Ridsdale

Having already damaged our relations with France over the Concord project and over the buying of American planes, does the Secretary of State not think that he will have to move some way closer to the French position over the deterrent in order to get agreement about the Atlantic Nuclear Force?

Mr. Healey

I think that the hon. Member's information on diplomatic affairs is no better than his knowledge of aircraft matters. In fact, President de Gaulle, both at his Press Conference and his meeting with the British Ambassador in Paris last Friday, expressed himself in friendlier terms towards Her Majesty's Government than has been the case for many years.

Mr. Thorneycroft

Could the right hon. Gentleman at least give this assurance, that in no circumstances will he proceed with the Atlantic Nuclear force with a command structure outside N.A.T.O.?

Mr. Healey

I have nothing to say on this matter in addition to what was said by the Prime Minister and myself in the debate last December.

Mr. Campbell

As a result of the discussions with the German Government, is a mixed manned surface fleet a part of the present proposals, as suggested by a newspaper report?

Mr. Healey

Her Majesty's Government have already stated that they favour the inclusion of a mixed manned component in an Atlantic Nuclear Force. The German Government is known to favour the view that this component should consist of a mixed manned surface fleet. We have an open mind on this subject, though we have, as many times stated in this House, reserved our position on British participation in such a surface fleet.

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