HC Deb 06 February 1990 vol 166 cc747-8
5. Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on current Anglo-French co-operation on nuclear weapon development.

The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Mr. Alan Clark)

Discussions are taking place.

Ms. Primarolo

As the threat from the Soviet Union and the eastern bloc has diminished virtually to non-existence why is the Minister having discussions with the French about building a nuclear weapon? Will he tell us at whom the weapon is targeted, whether it breaches the intermediate nuclear forces agreement and how many billions of pounds will be wasted on that cold war attitude, when we could be spending money on diversification programmes to employ people in the defence industry?

Mr. Clark

I have some sympathy with the first part of the hon. Lady's question, but lead times in weapons procurement are such that we are discussing a weapons system that is unlikely to be in service until the first decades of the next century. I cannot predict, and nor can anyone else in the House of Commons, who the enemies of the United Kingdom will be or where they will be located.

Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith

When looking at the extent and development of Anglo-French nuclear co-operation, will my hon. Friend bear in mind the recent modernisation by the Soviet Union of its own nuclear capability, including air-launched cruise missiles?

Mr. Clark

I certainly attach importance to Anglo-French nuclear collaboration. I hope that it will increase and produce good results in the near future.

Mr Hardy

Do not recent comments by French Ministers suggest that the French Government intend to have the last nuclear weapon on the planet; they will allow everyone else to disarm but will insist that the last nuclear weapon bears the tricolor alongside its registration number? In view of that ambition, will the Minister make sure that we are not tied down to follow the same policy, which may be unwise and utterly unimaginative?

Mr. Clark

I am glad to say that I have absolutely no responsibility for what French Ministers have to say.