HC Deb 25 April 1969 vol 782 c129W
Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will discontinue his discussions with the West German Government on North Atlantic Treaty Organisation policy on the use of nuclear weapons.

Mr. Healey

No.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what reply he has received from the United States Administration to Her Majesty's Government's proposal for a policy of nuclear response by North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces.

Mr. Healey

The agreed N.A.T.O. strategy is based on the concept of deterrence by posing the threat of escalation, if necessary to a nuclear level. Current studies, designed to establish guidelines for the tactical use of nuclear weapons within this context, will be considered at the Ministerial meeting of the N.A.T.O. Nuclear Planning Group next month.