§ Q5. Mr. Martenasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied that Great Britain has the civil and military resources to continue to maintain a worldwide defence rôle; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, within the limits described in the Defence Review presented to the House last February.
§ Mr. MartenCan the Prime Minister say whether we have the civil and military resources to underwrite the security of those Asian countries such as India which will ultimately have to contain China, as suggested by my right hon. Friend the Member for Kinross and West Perthshire (Sir Alec Douglas-Home) in a recent debate? Can he further say what success Her Majesty's Government have had in approaching European countries to share in the burden of our worldwide defence responsibilities?
§ The Prime MinisterIt would be difficult to answer both parts of that supplementary at Question Time. They raise very big issues. I have a number of times in debates referred to the rôle that we may have to take with our allies in providing some safeguards on nuclear dangers to India and other countries which might be threatened by new nuclear Powers. This is all tied up with the discussions that are going on in N.A.T.O. at the moment in connection with burden sharing of the costs of N.A.T.O. itself.
§ Mr. HeathIs there any truth in the report that Her Majesty's Government propose to use an American satellite system of communications to maintain our worldwide defence system?
§ The Prime MinisterI should be glad if the right hon. Gentleman would arrange to have a Question put down on that 1864 subject because it raises some separate issues on which I would like to make a separate Answer.