§ Q1. Mr. Blakerasked the Prime Minister if he will now invite the Heads of Government of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries to a conference to discuss new methods of collectivising their nuclear defences.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)No. Sir.
§ Mr. BlakerIs the Prime Minister aware that his right hon. Friends have told the House that the terms on which our Polaris submarines are to be assigned to N.A.T.O., like the terms for the V bombers, will permit their withdrawal? Will the Prime Minister confirm that this degree of internationalisation was intended by the pledges in the last two Labour Party election manifestos?
§ The Prime MinisterI think a valuable step has been made with the report of the McNamara Committee. As to further internationalisation where Polaris is concerned, this will have to be the next subject for discussion, but I think there is nothing very urgent about it, nor very much desire in N.A.T.O. at this time to consider it.
§ Mr. Frank AllaunDoes the Prime Minister stand by the previous declaration that there should be no German finger, direct or indirect, on the nuclear trigger? Does not the printed Question, as supported by Mr. Strauss, conflict with that vital declaration?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not aware of any West German statement which is in any sense contrary to the doctrine that countries which are not at present nuclear Powers should not seek to become nuclear Powers. This has been very clearly stated by the West German Government.