Oral Answers to Questions — Polaris Warhead (Test)

– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 16 December 1965.

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Photo of Mr Stratton Mills Mr Stratton Mills , Belfast North 12:00, 16 December 1965

asked the Prime Minister what plans were in existence on 1st April, 1965, for a test of a component of the Polaris nuclear warhead.

Photo of Mr George Brown Mr George Brown , Belper

I have been asked to reply. None, Sir.

Photo of Mr Stratton Mills Mr Stratton Mills , Belfast North

Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that the Prime Minister told the House in December, 1964, that the component required further testing and that on 1st April he specifically denied that any tests were planned for the autumn, but that the tests subsequently took place? Will he specifically say on what date the decision to make arrangements for the test was taken?

Photo of Mr George Brown Mr George Brown , Belper

The original Answer which was given to the hon. Gentleman—not the Answer I have just given—was exactly right and there were no plans on the date to which he referred. We made the announcement after the test had taken place, quite differently from what the previous Administration did, for it did not make an announcement either before or afterwards.