HC Deb 21 July 1981 vol 9 cc149-50
4. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold discussions with defence Ministers of other countries regarding medium-range nuclear missiles in Europe.

The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. John Nott)

I am due to meet other NATO defence Ministers at the autumn meeting of the nuclear planning group. This is the principal NATO forum for discussion of such matters, but no firm agenda for the meeting has yet been fixed.

Mr. Allaun

Would not the deployment of cruise and Trident missiles on British territory make our country far more vulnerable—in fact, a priority target for retaliation? Does the Secretary of State accept that the latest public opinion polls show a majority of the British people in favour of that view?

Mr. Nott

No. In my opinion, the deployment of cruise missiles will make this country far less vulnerable. With regard to opinion polls, I have the New Society poll and the Marplan polls of November and April in front of me. I can see no evidence whatever in any recent poll to sustain the hon. Gentleman's opinion.

Mr. Trippier

Will my right hon. Friend take this opportunity to remind Left-wing members of the Labour Party that Soviet military literature is full of references to nuclear weapons being used as primary aggressive forces, which is completely contrary to the principles of deterrence in the West? Is it not therefore essential that we should do all that we can to convince the Russians that they could not possibly succeed in such an attempt, and deter them from trying?

Mr. Nott

I do not think that the facts put forward by my hon. Friend are of much interest to some members of the Labour Party. But I agree with what he said.

Mr. Cryer

Is it not true that the cruise missile would make us more, not less, vulnerable, that it would be entirely under United States control without any right of a United Kingdom veto, and that under presidential directive 59 that could involve United States aggression? Is it not also true that cruise missiles are not verifiable, and that they therefore represent a potential escalation in the nuclear arms race?

Mr. Nott

I believe that word "rubbish" is not parliamentary language, and therefore I cannot use it. I advise the hon. Gentleman that I totally disagree with all those assertions—

Mr. Cryer

Just give the facts.

Mr. Nott

—and the answer to questions about the cruise missiles is well known to the House. There would have to be a joint decision by the British and American leaders before those missiles could be used.

Sir John Biggs-Davison

In view of what the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) said about American control, does my right hon. Friend know whether the Leader of the Opposition expressed solidarity at the Socialist International with the Socialist Government of France in their determination to maintain military nuclear independence?

Mr. Nott

I hope very much that the Leader of the Opposition will have the pleasure of meeting President Mitterrand fairly soon, because I think that an exchange of opinion between them about the balance in Europe would be useful and interesting.

Mr. Cryer

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. 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.