§ 91. Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Air what efforts he is making to maintain the credibility of the deterrent value of the Royal Air Force V-bomber force; to what extent he visualises a change in the deterrent rôle; to what extent the Air Estimate Vote will be increased as a result; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. H. FraserThe credibility of the deterrent will be increased by the Blue Steel missile now entering service, and every effort will be made to maintain the deterrent value of the V-bomber force in the future. These improvements will not raise the approximate 10 per cent. share of the Defence Budget now devoted to the deterrent.