ABSTRACT
Healey pointed out that until the UK was able to tell the US that it had taken a decision in principle to continue an R and D programme at AWRE, then the UK would not be in a position to discuss what programme would be best suited to meet common needs. Tellingly Healey reminded the Prime Minister that in the last two years uncertainty about the future AWRE programme had led to a progressive decline in US readiness to give information of value. Committee members felt that in the event of a CTBT the US would probably find alternative ways of continuing work on nuclear weapons development. Towards the end of 1966, Denis Healey circulated drafts of papers that he had prepared himself on the future nuclear weapons programme and sent these to the Prime Minister's office; Burke Trend as Cabinet Secretary was the only other recipient.
