HC Deb 14 November 1967 vol 754 cc217-8
Q4. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Prime Minister what reply he has had to the representations he made to the United States President about the decision to build an anti-ballistic missile system.

The Prime Minister

Exchanges between myself and President Johnson are confidential. As to the substance of the matter I would refer my hon. Friend to the speech of my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs during the debate on the Address on 2nd November.—[Vol. 753, c. 458.]

Mrs. Short

Would my right hon. Friend agree that there is a danger that the arms race will reach terrifying proportions, with new weapons and counter-weapons? Does not he also agree that this is likely to put in jeopardy the conclusion of a non-proliferation treaty? Will he redouble and renew his efforts to bring the American Administration to some sensible conclusion on this matter?

The Prime Minister

The danger of a new, and costly, twist in the arms race is a consideration which we put to the Soviet Government, when they were here in February, about plans which were reported that they were thinking of engaging in an A.B.M. system, and we have put the same consideration to the American Government. It was put equally to both, when we stressed the dangers which such a development might have for the non-proliferation treaty and for other advances in nuclear disarmament.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Is the Prime Minister aware that, shortly after the announcement, the Foreign Secretary complained that he had not been consulted, but that in Ankara Mr. McNamara said that he had been? Can the right hon. Gentleman say, first, whether there was consultation with Britain? Secondly, does he not agree, in the light of what has been happening in the Soviet Union, that the American decision was justified? Thirdly, how are we to include Britain and N.A.T.O. itself within an A.B.M. screen?

The Prime Minister

I think that there is some misunderstanding here. The position is that the N.A.T.O. Nuclear Planning Group had not been informed. I agree that it ought to be discussed with this group. My right hon. Friend has made clear to the United States, as others have, our feelings about this development, and it was further discussed between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and Mr. Secretary McNamara at the recent N.A.T.O. meeting in Ankara.