HL Deb 23 May 1963 vol 250 c419
LORD KENNET

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Nassau Agreement and its subsidiary annexes and correspondence give them the right to buy Polaris missiles from the United States in replacement of those which may have been fired in the supreme national interest.]

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (LORD CARRINGTON)

My Lords, the Nassau Statement includes the words: The President and the Prime Minister agreed that the United States will make available on a continuing basis Polaris missiles (less warheads) for British submarines". Article III.1 of the Polaris Sales Agreement states that The Government of the United States shall provide Polaris missiles (less warheads), equipment, and supporting services of such types and marks and in such quantities as the Government of the United Kingdom may from time to time require".