§ 15. Mr. LoydenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his assessment of the efficiency of current technology to ascertain whether nuclear weapons are being carried at sea.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe technology to which the hon. Gentleman refers would require considerable development before its full value can be assessed.
§ Mr. LoydenDoes the Minister welcome the experiments taking place in the United States with the Soviet Navy? Will her Majesty's Government be making vessels available for such experiments to take place involving the British Navy?
§ Mr. ClarkWe welcome any experiments which may provide further data in the complex sphere of verification. Although this technology exists, it has not yet reached a stage at which we could have any confidence in its accuracy.