Weapons Development and Deployment

HC Deb 17 July 1990 vol 176 cc847-8

4. Mr. Terry Fields

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met his United States counterpart to discuss weapons development and deployment.

Mr. Tom King

I last met Mr. Cheney at the NATO nuclear planning group and the defence planning committee meetings in May. We discussed a wide range of current defence issues.

Mr. Fields

Although I might argue from a socialist perspective that imperialist, capitalist treaties and pacts are worthless pieces of paper, can the Secretary of State tell the House whether the Government are serious about the non-proliferation treaty, or does he support the statement made by his hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement who described it as a "worthless piece of paper" on 18 June in the House? Is not that a further example of the Thatcher-Ridley tendency of chauvinistic dislike and hatred for foreigners and all things foreign?

Mr. King

I am not sure what that contribution will do for the cause of the Leader of the Opposition in trying to persuade people in Washington that the Labour party is a very different animal now from that which some of its previous critics may have suggested. The hon. Gentleman's contribution said it all.

Mr. Roger King

Does my right hon. Friend agree that technology in the United States, particularly in military aircraft, has reached an all-time high with the stealth characteristics of those aircraft? Would it be possible for European aviation manufacturers to feature much of that stealth technology in the next generation of European fighter aircraft, and thus benefit from American research?

Mr. King

We seek to co-operate wherever possible in the European programme group on research and development in various collaborative projects and, where applicable, with the United States. Obviously, some of the skills of the United States are of great interest to us.

Mr. Boyes

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that American ships will be carrying stocks of nerve gas, in the form of 100,000 artillery projectiles, from Nordenham in Germany through the English channel? The projected time for the movement is mid to late September when there are frequently severe gales in the English channel. When precisely will the movement take place, and what contingency plans does the right hon. Gentleman intend to make in case of a serious accident? The British public have a right to know, or do the Government simply not care?

Mr. King

I will see what information I can give the hon. Gentleman about that.

Mr. Latham

Regarding contact with United States counterparts on weapons development and deployment, does my right hon. Friend agree that it is excellent that Sir Peter Levene has managed to copy the American system of labelling spares' costs, resulting in a substantial reduction in costs to public funds?

Mr. King

Many of the innovations that Sir Peter Levene has brought to the public procurement process have been of tremendous benefit, and there is no question—this should unite the House, whatever levels of defence expenditure one may approve—but that whatever money is spent should be spent to the best effect.