HC Deb 21 March 1978 vol 946 cc1313-6
14. Mr. Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why in the light of Government policy not to proceed with any new generation of nuclear weapons, or any programme for a cruise missile, contracts have been placed with British Aerospace and a number of other firms for studies of component parts of a medium-range weapon similar to the cruise missile.

15. Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why, in the light of Her Majesty's Government's policy not to proceed with any new generation of nuclear weapons or any programme for a cruise missile, contracts have been placed with British Aerospace and a number of other firms for studies of component parts of a medium-range weapon similar to the cruise missile.

Mr. Mulley

Studies and component developments are under way in industry on a number of missile projects, as detailed in the Statement on the Defence Estimates. They are to meet operational requirements and are quite distinct from our limited studies into cruise missiles which are to enable us to participate in NATO discussions on the defence potential and arms control implications of these systems. We have no plans to develop a cruise missile or a successor to Polaris.

Mr. Allaun

Will the Secretary of State give a firm undertaking that the Government will keep their pledge and not embark on a new generation of strategic weapons? Despite the fact that £120,000 has already been spent on these preliminary projects, is it not true that there has been no mention of the project in the full Cabinet?

Mr. Mulley

I can assure my hon. Friend that one can buy very little defence technology for £120,000. In fact, that is the sum for cruise missile studies that we intend to spend in the next financial year. Obviously some of the components and the work done on anti-ship and other guided weapons would have a bearing on these studies, and I think that my hon. Friend has confused the components for that with the longer-range cruise missile which is what people normally associate with that term. It disturbs me most of all to think that my hon. Friend prefers to pick up every snip of information that he can lay his hands on from any journal in preference to what I have told him.

Mr. Allaun rose

—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Would the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Allaun) be kind enough to wait another 20 minutes, until the end of Question Time?

Mr. Allaun

But it is on this Question.

Mr. Speaker

Unfortunately, that happens very often.

Mr. Hugh Fraser

Will the Minister be more explicit and say why no study has been carried out on a successor to Polaris as an independent British missile? Will he make clear what he meant by his remarks?

Mr. Mulley

I thought I had made it clear that in our view the existing Polaris force will be effective for many years to come and, that being the situation, there is no need to take a decision on the question whether other arrangements would have to be made.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

Will the Minister reconsider his previous answers about nuclear weapons and make a firm and clear declaration to the House and the country that the Labour Government do not intend to introduce any new generation of nuclear warheads or new delivery systems? Will he now state clearly and unequivocally that the Labour Government do not intend to introduce these weapons either now or at any time in the future, whether or not conditions change?

Mr. Mulley

I have made it clear many times that we stand by the commitment in our election manifesto not to proceed with a new generation of nuclear strategic missiles.

Sir Ian Gilmour

Since even a Labour Government are theoretically supposed to be interested in the defence of this country, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to explain, first, why he has no plans to introduce a successor to Polaris and, secondly, why he has no plans to introduce the cruise missile?

Mr. Mulley

On the first point, I have already made it clear that we stand by our election manifesto statement that we should not introduce a new generation of weapons. Secondly, on the cruise missile, I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that it can be used in a great variety of ways. We have no plans to acquire or manufacture it, because there is still great doubt about its capacity when ready. The United States Government, who have been working on the matter for many years, still only have the project under development.

Mr. Allaun

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earlist possible moment.