§ Q4. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Prime Minister what discussions he had recently in Washington about the Nuclear Planning Group in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to the reports already given to the House on my visit to Washington. Both Governments are in full agreement on the valuable rôle in the Alliance played by the Nuclear Planning Group.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerWhat nuclear weapons have we now which are not assigned to N.A.T.O.?
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to my Answer last week on this Question, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence will no doubt take an opportunity, if not more than one, in the defence debate planned for this week to deal with certain misrepresentations that occurred.
§ Mr. Frank AllaunIf N.A.T.O. were the first to use an atom bomb, would it not be likely to prove a suicide weapon? Is it not likely that the Russians, instead of being deterred, would retaliate similarly, or even escalate to the use of hydrogen bombs?
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend will recognise that that is an entirely hypothetical question. He will know that these matters are dealt with in the Defence White Paper which the House will be debating for two days this week, and that my right hon. Friend is perfectly competent to deal with the kinds of anxiety which are in my hon. Friend's mind.