§ 14. Mr. Brooksasked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for an international agreement on the integration of the British and French nuclear forces within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
§ Mr. HealeyNone, Sir.
§ Mr. BrooksIs my right hon. Friend aware that his consistent stress upon the case for the use of nuclear weapons for the defence of Western Europe must lead many of us to suppose that he envisages this deterrent remaining credible in the 'seventies even in the event of an American fall-back from Europe? Does he, therefore, envisage at any stage an Anglo-French entente emerging on lines that have been suggested?
§ Mr. HealeyOne must accept the French position on the relationship 529 between France and N.A.T.O. as stated and defined by the French Government, and for a British statesman or Minister to make proposals for the integration of French nuclear forces into N.A.T.O. would not only be futile but might even appear offensive to one of our allies.
§ Mr. Wingfield DigbyHas the Secretary of State ever discussed this question with the American authorities?
§ Mr. HealeyNo, Sir.