HL Deb 16 June 1971 vol 320 c584

2.55 p.m.

LORD SHINWELL

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any of the British Polaris submarines have been assigned to NATO and under whose command, if necessary, they will become operational.]

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (LORD CARRINGTON)

My Lords, the British Polaris submarines and missiles were committed to NATO as they became operational. The terms of the commitment have been agreed with NATO, but it would not be in the public interest to publish the detailed arrangements.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Carrington, for that Answer. Without seeking to impinge on security (because I am aware of the protocol in connection with matters of this kind), may I ask: is it not desirable that, so far as the possibility of the Polaris submarines becoming operational is concerned, we should be assured that nothing will happen without the full consent of this country and of the United States, and that there should be no question of a command under the control of either West Germany or France?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I can give the noble Lord that assurance now. The submarines are under British command. and although they will be allocated to NATO they cannot be used without the specific permission of the British Government.