HC Deb 31 May 1967 vol 747 cc78-9
21. Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what terms it is proposed that Great Britain's Polaris submarines shall be committed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Mr. Healey

It is the intention that the Polaris Force will be assigned to N.A.T.O. and that its missiles will be targeted by the appropriate N.A.T.O. authorities. Detailed arrangements will be made in due course before the first boat becomes operational in 1968.

Mr. Blaker

Since the Atlantic Nuclear Force has now clearly been dropped, does it not seem likely that the terms on which the Polaris submarines will be assigned to N.A.T.O. will be identical with those planned by the Conservative Government?

Mr. Healey

I have no idea what the plans of the Conservative Government were. One of the rules to which I am subject is that I am not allowed to investigate the plans of the Conservative Government. We would all be a great deal wiser if I were—[Laughter.]—although not necessarily any happier. What I can say is that, broadly speaking, the terms on which the Polaris submarines will be assigned will be similar to those on which the V bombers are assigned today.

Sir Ian Orr-Ewing

If that rule has not been changed, how is it that the right hon. Gentleman was able to tell the House that the previous Conservative Government planned 158 TSR2s, and also to refer to the level of the forces in the Far East which had once been planned by the previous Administration? How does he know these two things if he has never looked at the files?

Mr. Healey

The House was told the first figure by Mr. Julian Amery, when he was the Member for Preston, North.

Sir Ian Orr-Ewing

And the second? May I have an answer to the second part of my question? How was the right hon. Gentleman able to quote the words "once planned by the former Conservative Government" if he does not know what it is?

Mr. Healey

Because the Conservative Government announced it at the time.