§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is the inten- 738W tion of Her Majesty's Government to increase the funding of the cruises missile programme commended by the previous Administration; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PymThe research studies initiated in 1977 were designed solely to enable the Government to play an informed part in discussions on the military potential of cruise missiles. The contracts for these studies, which were referred to by my predecessor on 8 March 1978—[Vol 945, c. 624]—were completed in 1978, and no decision has been taken to initiate further studies specifically related to cruise missiles, but I am already in consultation with our allies on the question of modernising our theatre nuclear forces.