71. Mr. Baxterasked the Minister of Defence to what extent he has discussed with Mr. McNamara the possibility of the manufacture of Skybolt by Her Majesty's Government; and what estimate was made of the likely expenditure in which Great Britain would be involved.
§ 73. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Minister of Defence what consideration he has given to the United States proposal that Skybolt should be manufactured in Great Britain; and what estimates his financial advisers have submitted to him about the possible cost.
§ Mr. H. FraserI have been asked to reply.
189WDiscussions with the United States on Skybolt and possible alternatives to it are still in progress. I have nothing to add at this stage to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 17th December.
§ 72. Mr. Edenasked the Minister of Defence when he was first informed that the United States Department for Defence had doubts about the technical efficiency of the Skybolt missile.
§ Mr. H. FraserI have been asked to reply.
I have nothing to add at this stage to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 17th December.
§ Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Defence (1) whether, in view of the doubts about the technical feasibility of Skybolt, he will give immediate instructions for the design and building of at least one British Polaris-type submarine;
(2) whether he will endeavour to acquire immediately a submarine armed with Polaris-type missiles from the United States of America, in order that the Royal Navy may have an opportunity of gaining experience of this important weapon.
§ Mr. H. FraserI have been asked to reply.
Discussion with the United States on Skybolt and possible alternatives to it are now in progress. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence made clear in his statement on 17th December, the most important of these possible alternatives is Polaris; but no decisions have yet been taken.