HC Deb 22 February 1977 vol 926 cc1215-6
16. Mr. George Rodgers

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress that has been made towards the renunciation of independent nuclear weapons by the United Kingdom.

Mr. Mulley

It is not Government policy to renounce unilaterally our nuclear capability. Any reduction in the United Kingdom's nuclear capability, all of which is committed to the Alliance, must depend on the successful outcome of multilateral negotiations.

Mr. Rodgers

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the hitter disappointment among hon. Members on the Government Benches at the Government's apparent inability to meet their manifesto commitment on this issue? Will he take this opportunity to renew that commitment?

Mr. Mulley

As I understand the manifesto, there was no commitment to unilateral nuclear disarmament. It said that we would exercise our best en- deavours to get a multilateral agreement, which I am sure that hon. Members in all parts of the House would like to see. That is what we are doing.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that his initial reply will give some reassurance to the people of this country? Does he agree that his first responsibility is to safeguard the security of all the people of this country and not just to pander to the meanderings of the Left?

Mr. Mulley

The hon. Gentleman spoilt the beginning of an excellent contribution by his last remarks. I hope that my reply will have given general satisfaction.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

Does my right hon. Friend recall that the commitment in the manifesto—which is the manifesto for all the party—refers to United States nuclear bases here? What action has he taken to fulfil the commitment to rid this country of United States Polaris bases?

Mr. Mulley

The Polaris submarines that use bases in this country make an important contribution to the deterrent forces of the Alliance and, in that way, to the defence of this country. Our policy has always been to seek a reduction in the number of these weapons and in armaments generally on a multilateral rather than unilateral basis. That remains Government policy.

Mr. Churchill

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that in the face of the current Soviet nuclear and conventional build-up, Great Britain's independent nuclear deterrent assumes even greater importance than in the past? May I assure him that he has the full support of the Opposition in the steps that the Government are taking to improve and modernise our strategic capabilities?

Mr. Mulley

I should prefer to put the matter in the context of our nuclear capability being an important part of NATO's general conventional, theatre nuclear, and strategic nuclear deterrence.