§ Mr. Shinwellasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has received recent communications from the United States Government on the subject of the effectiveness of the Polaris nuclear submarine and missiles; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HealeyThe United States' Navy provide us with a continuous flow of data and reports on the Polaris system. I have no reason to doubt the continued effectiveness of the Polaris weapon or the submarine.
§ Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the United States authorities as to their possible discontinuance of the Polaris programme.
§ Mr. HealeyWe are in constant communication with the United States, authorities on all aspects of the Polaris programme. As for discontinuance of the programme, I think the hon. Member will find that the United States' Government's publicly announced programme calls for the deployment of Poseidon missiles in 31 submarines and for the retention of Polaris missiles in 10 others.