HC Deb 17 February 1969 vol 778 cc13-4
7. Mr. Alison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to initiate dis- cussions with the new United States administration concerning the control of Great Britain's nuclear deterrent within an Atlantic or multilateral framework.

47. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss with the new United States administration the effects of the nuclear strategy of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on foreign policy.

Mr. M. Stewart

Nuclear strategy is the subject of regular discussion within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, notably in the Nuclear Planning Group of which both the United Kingdom and the United States are members. The foreign policy and defence arrangements of individual members of the Alliance are of course reflected in these discussions.

Mr. Alison

Does the right hon. Gentleman still believe that Her Majesty's Government's earlier proposals for an Atlantic nuclear force remain the best way forward for stopping the spread of nuclear weapons, and do the Government still adhere to their pledge to internationalise our strategic nuclear forces?

Mr. Stewart

On the hon. Gentleman's latter point, I would refer to the Answer which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on 30th January. On the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, we have to see what progress is made in the Nuclear Planning Group.

Mr. Ridsdale

Will the Foreign Secretary assure the House that there is the closest collaboration with the United States on nuclear strategy and that this close collaboration is likely to continue?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Frank Allaun

Has it not always been Her Majesty's Government's view and the American Government's view that we should not be the first to use nuclear weapons? Would my right hon. Friend have a word with his right hon. Friend to see whether this is not at variance with what he has been saying recently?

Mr. Stewart

No, I do not think that my hon. Friend is correct about it.