HC Deb 16 May 1962 vol 659 c121W
21. Mr. Gordon Walker

asked the Minister of Defence what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government, in pursuance of paragraph 10 of the recent North Atlantic Treaty Council communiqué, to improve North Atlantic Treaty Organisation co-operation on research, development and production of military equipment.

Mr. Watkinson

As was stated in the N.A.T.O. communiqué, a high-level group is being set up to see whether any improvements can be made in the existing machinery for co-operation in research, development and production of military equipment. We shall play our full part in this review. All members of the N.A.T.O. Council were agreed that early decisions must be taken on those projects whose evaluation by the N.A.T.O. Armaments Committee will soon be completed.

Mr. Mulley

asked the Minister of Defence if he will give details of the special procedures mentioned in paragraph 6 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Council communiqué for exchange of information on the rôle of nuclear weapons in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation defence; and when these procedures will come into operation.

Mr. Watkinson

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have given to-day to the hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason) and the hon. and learned Member for Northampton (Mr. Paget).