§ Q9. Mr. Ormeasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that for more than six years nuclear warheads have been mounted secretly on aircraft and missiles of West Germany and other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on this matter.
§ The Prime MinisterNo non-nuclear members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation have nuclear warheads under national control. The forces of a number of non-nuclear members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation are equipped with nuclear delivery vehicles. My information is that the warheads for these weapons are kept under strict United States custody and control at all times.
§ Mr. OrmeIs my right hon. Friend aware that this statement, first published in the New York Times and subsequently in the British Press, has caused great concern, and will he give an assurance that in no circumstances will there be a German finger on the nuclear trigger?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not responsible for what appears in the Press, whether it be the New York Times or any other newspaper. So far as the Question is concerned, the arrangements have always been known, I think, by this House, and certainly as far as these particular weapons are concerned there is no German finger on the trigger for the reason set out in my original Answer.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Question Time is over.