§ 77. Mr. Grimondasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the arrangements for political control of tactical nuclear weapons supplied to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces in Germany; and, in particular, who may give authority for the firing of nuclear weapons held by the British Army of the Rhine.
§ Mr. GodberAs my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence stated to the House on 4th November, initiation of the use of tactical nuclear weapons by forces assigned to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, in Germany or elsewhere in his command, requires a specific order from SACEUR. This of course applies to B.A.O.R. SACEUR'S 35W decision to use nuclear weapons is, as he has frequently confirmed, subject to his obtaining political authorisation. SACEUR has also confirmed his recognition that all North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces under his command, conventional and nuclear, are controlled ultimately by a higher political authority, the N.A.T.O. Council and its member Governments.