HC Deb 16 May 1966 vol 728 cc914-5
49. Mr. Luard

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made to the Soviet Government about the dangers of initiating a new arms race by the construction of anti-missile emplacements around her major cities.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Michael Stewart)

It is not our practice to disclose details of the confidential discussions which members of Her Majesty's Government have with other Governments on questions of this sort. But I can assure my hon. Friend that we are giving serious consideration to the implications of the deployment, which could be of great importance, of ballistic missile defence systems and that in such matters we exchange views as appropriate with other Governments.

Mr. Luard

While welcoming that reply, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will assure us that he is using his influence to strengthen the resistance which the United States Secretary of State for Defense has so far been making to the very strong pressures to which he is subject from the United States Senate?

Mr. Stewart

We are very well aware of the risks involved if this development takes place. I understand that while the United States Government are continuing research and development they have taken no decision to deploy these weapons.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he might consider sending Mr. Brown to sell defensive weapons of this type?

Mr. Zilliacus

Could my right hon. Friend help the United States' Secretary of State for Defense to resist these pressures by suggesting that he should be less bellicose in threatening nuclear war against China in the eventuality of China helping victims of American aggression in Vietnam?

Mr. Stewart

I think that my hon. Friend misreads the whole situation.