§ 2. Mr. Merchantasked the Secretary of State for Defence what action his Department is taking to draw the attention of the public to the Soviet Union's stategic defence programme.
§ The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. George Younger)A paper on this subject was placed in the Library on 26 November 1985, and is made available on request to members of the public. The Government have also published a pamphlet entitled "Outer Space and Defences against Ballistic Missiles", which includes a section describing Soviet ballistic missile defence activities. These publications are kept under review, so that updated information can be issued as necessary.
§ Mr. MerchantDoes my right hon. Friend agree that more attention should be drawn to the Soviet star wars programme to demonstrate the need for more research into SDI in Britain? Does he further agree that knowledge of Soviet plans would justify in the public mind the need to speed up Britain's SDI programme? Is he aware that delays in SDI contracts have resulted partly in 42 jobs being lost in Newcastle at International Research and Development?
§ Mr. YoungerI am grateful to and agree with my hon. Friend. Some people's attitude to the balance of these systems seems amazing. The Soviets have been engaged in such activities since the 1960s, and since the early 1980s they have been modernising their anti-ballistic missile system around Moscow.
§ Mr. DalyellWas the Secretary of State consulted about the visit of Mr. Clarance Robinson? Why did he leave the country without seeing—
§ Mr. YoungerI am sorry, but the hon. Gentleman's last few words were lost in the noise. Could he repeat his question?
§ Mr. DalyellWas the Secretary of State consulted about the visit of Mr. Clarance Robinson, and for what reasons did he go back to the United States without having talked to British industry?
§ Mr. YoungerI was not consulted about the visit of Mr. Clarance Robinson. It was therefore entirely up to him whether he came or went.