§ 48. Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Defence whether it was with his authority that officials of his Department including his scientific adviser, recently made a public statement on defence matters, including new strategic weapons and the joint development of light amplification by stimulated emission radiation by the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
Mr. Watkinson: I assume the hon. Member is referring to an article which appeared in the Evening Standard on 20th March which was written following an interview given to the author by my Chief Scientific Adviser. The purpose of the interview was to explain some of the problems facing my Department in the 132W scientific field. The article does not convey any information not previously made public.