§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions under the terms of the Anglo-United States agreement on the uses of atomic energy for mutual defence purposes of 1958, Her Majesty's Government have had with the United States Government concerning the Anglo-French co-production of nuclear air-to-surface missiles.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkOfficials are discussing options for the delivery vehicle for the United Kingdom's future theatre nuclear weapon with both the United States and France. There are no plans for an Anglo-French collaborative programme which would fall within the scope of the United States/United Kingdom 1958 agreement.
§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has as to whether British Aerospace is currently conducting any feasibility studies into the possible development of a nuclear air-to-surface missile; and what discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with British Aerospace in respect of the possible development of such a missile.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkBritish Aerospace is one of the contractors involved in the assessment of options for the replacement of the WE177 free-fall bomb. No decisions on development can be taken until the current assessment studies are completed.