§ Q4. Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Prime Minister what is the statistical basis for the claim in her speech at the Guildhall on 15 November that the United States now had one-third fewer nuclear weapons than in 1967 and that the total explosive power of all United States nuclear weapons was currently only 25 per cent. of what it was in 1960.
§ Mr. BiffenI have been asked to reply.
The figures have been set out in various United States Government documents, including Mr. Weinberger's annual report to the Congress for 1984.
§ Mr. AtkinsonIs it not true that, in the light of the accords agreed in 1972 in Moscow and in 1974 in Vladivostok between President Ford and Mr. Brezhnev, the Prime Minister made an absolutely absurd statement at the Guildhall? If we ignore completely all the 761 intermediate weapons that have been deployed since 1967 and consider only the intercontinental ballistic missiles, is it not true that the number of warheads has doubled and the megaton explosive power has increased by an untold amount? Should not the Prime Minister confront honesty for a change and correct the statement that she made for propaganda purposes at the Guildhall?
§ Mr. BiffenAs the burden of the hon. Gentleman's remarks is that the Prime Minister is drawing unfairly on the evidence made available in Mr. Weinberger's report, the best action I can take is to ensure that the report is placed in the Library.