§ Sir T. BeamishQ19 and Q21. asked the Prime Minister (1) how many V-bombers and how many Polaris submarines will be irrevocably allocated to the proposed Atlantic Nuclear Force; and in what ways the United Kingdom's right to withdraw these forces differs from the existing right to withdraw the forces allocated to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation;
(2) what proportion of the V-bomber force will be kept under British command for international police work and to fulfil international obligations outside the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation area; if this force will have a nuclear capacity and if it will be reinforced by TSR2s with a nuclear capacity; and until when it is estimated that this force will constitute a credible independent British nuclear deterrent.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to my remarks, and those of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in the Foreign Affairs debate last week.