HC Deb 25 June 1969 vol 785 cc1496-7
34. Mr. Boston

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the recent meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Nuclear Defence Committee.

Mr. John Morris

At the meeting of the N.A.T.O. Nuclear Planning Group in London on 29th and 30th May, Ministers continued their review of nuclear defence planning. They welcomed the progress that had been made on the preparation of guidelines for the N.A.T.O. military authorities in respect of the tactical use of nuclear weapons within the concept of N.A.T.O. deterrent strategy; and gave instructions for the continuation of work in this field. Ministers also considered strategic aspects of N.A.T.O.'s nuclear defence and further arrangements for consultation within the alliance on the possible use of nuclear weapons.

Mr. Boston

Can my hon. Friend say what further discussions are taking place about the Anglo-German proposals on the use of tactical nuclear weapons? Could he also comment on the recent report of an international committee of experts that the Soviet Union would be able to counter United States Polaris submarines by the 1970s? What consideration has been given to that report?

Mr. Morris

Dealing with the first part of my hon. Friend's question, the Anglo-French paper on guidelines was generally welcome and is now being revised for the next meeting, in the light of comments, with a view to its adoption for general political guidance. On the second point about vulnerability, I am not sure to which report my hon. Friend is referring. If he is referring to a comment made by the American Defence Secretary, he was making the point that there is no permanence in the quality of some of our deterrents.

Sir Knox Cunningham

When are we to have a statement from the Secretary of State, whose absence from the House we regret, about the British independent nuclear deterrent?

Mr. Morris

I am sure that if the hon. and learned Gentleman puts down a Question asking for a statement, my right hon. Friend will, the next time he answers Questions, seek to deal with that.

Mr. Rippon

Is it the Government's policy to encourage Anglo-French co-operation on nuclear defence, particularly in the light of this fresh approach to the new French Government?

Mr. Morris

We should wait for an indication of the views of the French Government on this. This is a matter for them and I am sure that they, having sometime in 1966 withdrawn from their rôle in N.A.T.O., would be very welcome to play a bigger part than they now do.