§ Mr. Brooksasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the major additional work involved in the construction of Polaris submarines which had not been anticipated in the original contract.
§ Mr. Brooksasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the original cost of each Polaris submarine, inclusive of weaponry, at the time of the Nassau negotiations; and what is the latest figure of such cost.
§ Mr. Brooksasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the agreement to share in the construction of the Anglo-French variable geometry aeroplane has involved any reconsideration of the rôle of Great Britain's Polaris fleet in the 1970s.
§ Mr. HealeyNo.
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§ Mr. Brooksasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether Her Majesty's Government will reserve the right to use the Polaris weapon unilaterally where essential British interests are deemed to be at stake.
§ Mr. HealeyAs has been explained on a number of occasions, Her Majesty's Government's policy is to internationalise our strategic nuclear forces as our contribution to the Western nuclear deterrent.
§ Mr. Brooksasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any discussions have taken place with the French Government during present negotiations over possible British entry into the European Economic Community regarding the structure of political command over the use of Polaris.
§ Mr. HealeyI would remind the hon. Member that in reporting on the visit to Paris the Prime Minister explained that defence had played very little part, a much smaller part than some had expected [Vol. 739, c. 1772], but I do not consider that it would be correct at this stage to answer detailed questions about particular points. I would, however, assure the hon. Member that the Prime Minister's statement on our nuclear deterrent policy on 17th November remains our position.—[Vol. 736, c. 771.]