§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Defence what gap is visualised between the end of the deterrent credibility of the Royal Air Force bomber force and the introduction of operational Polaris submarines.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftNo gap is visualised, though there will be a period in which the V-bomber/Blue Steel combination as at present planned will become more vulnerable to enemy counter-measures. The Government intend to take measures to improve the capability of the V-bomber force in this period.