§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have noted a recent Act of the United States Congress making production of the new 155mm nuclear (neutron) shell dependent on a public statement by one other NATO country that it will accept deployment of that shell; whether they would agree to be that country; and whether they will make a statement.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)The production of new American weapons systems is a matter for the United States Government. We understand, however, that no final decision has been taken on the form of the new nuclear shell for 155mm artillery pieces. The United States Government have not approached the European allies about the deployment of the new shell, which would not be due until the late 1980s. Its short range makes it most unlikely that NATO would wish to deploy it in the United Kingdom.