HC Deb 13 February 1979 vol 962 cc950-1
17. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what additional expenditure, beyond the £120,000 already contracted for with Aerospace and other firms, it is proposed to incur on research studies connected with cruise missile technology.

Mr. Mulley

No further expenditure on such studies is planned at present.

Mr. Allaun

I am glad to hear that. Will my right hon. Friend give a firm undertaking that we shall not either singly or jointly develop or deploy the cruise missile, which would wreck detente? I ask the question because there have been so many precedents where there has been a step-by-step approach to new nuclear weapons.

Mr. Litterick

In secret.

Mr. Mulley

My hon. Friend expresses undue concern and anxiety. I assure him that one can buy very little of a cruise missile programme for £120,000.

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