§ 10. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to protect people in this country from the consequences of nuclear retaliation following the implementation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation policy of nuclear response to conventional attack.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to a Question by the right hon. and learned Member for Huntingdonshire (Sir D. Renton) on 12th February.—[Vol. 795, c. 379–80.]
§ Mr. JenkinsWhile that answer is completely clear in my mind, in every particular and word, may I ask my hon. Friend whether it is not the case that, having abandoned any attempt to protect the civil population against nuclear war by virtually standing down civil defence, the logical consequence of that step is for ourselves to abandon the use of nuclear weapons on the ground that to use a weapon against which we are 1432 unable to defend ourselves is sheer irresponsibility?
§ Mr. MorganI do not want to get involved in discussions on defence strategy. In the care and maintenance policy announced in January, 1968, the main requirements for the protection of the public have been retained.