§ 31. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will initiate negotiations with the United States Government with a view to eliminating the obstacles to a full exchange of information relating to the manufacture and delivery of nuclear weapons between the British and French Governments.
§ Mr. M. StewartNo, Sir.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneWhy not? Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, instead of shedding crocodile tears about French nuclear tests, Her Majesty's Government might be better advised to seek to provide the French with the information and co-operation they need to avoid the need to hold these tests, particularly as this might assist us to enter the Common Market?
§ Mr. StewartNo, Sir. In the first place, that would be inconsistent with agreements we have already with the United States. Secondly, if, as I think follows from the trend of the hon. Gentleman's question, this was leading towards anything like a separate European nuclear force, it would be most undesirable.