HC Deb 23 March 1960 vol 620 cc34-5W
49. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent Her Majesty's Government's policy is still based on the proposition expressed by his predecessor on 11th February, 1959, that in the presentstate of scientific knowledge there is no effective means of defending the country as a whole.

Mr. Watkinson

Her Majesty's Government's policy is to defend the country primarily by deterring war. If war came, it remains true, as stated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air last week, that in the event of a major nuclear attack there is no effective means of direct defence of the country as a whole.