HC Deb 10 February 1976 vol 905 c225
15. Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will cancel the contract for the purchase of Lance tactical nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. William Rodgers

No, Sir. Tactical nuclear weapons constitute an important element in NATO's defensive strategy, and we intend to maintain our contribution in this field.

Mr. Cryer

Does my right hon. Friend not agree that these nuclear weapons increase the potential danger of nuclear warfare? Does he not also agree that the £55 million payment will make our balance of payments that much worse, because the money is going to the Radio Corporation of America? Does he not think that the Corporation should be encouraged to invest in this country in plants like the Skelmersdale television tube factory. Would that not be preferable to this country's providing the Corporation with £55 million, with no benefit to our unemployment problem?

Mr. Rodgers

My hon. Friend asked three questions. The third is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry. The answer to the first is "No". Beyond that, we take the view that these weapons form a very important part of our defensive strategy and that without them there would be a greater danger of war in Europe through the upsetting of the existing deterrent capacity of NATO.