§ 35. Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for Air what length of warning will be given by the Fylingdales Moor early warning station of intermediate range ballistic missiles launched at distances of respectively 750, 1,000 and 1,500 miles from Nottingham.
Mr. WardOver a range of 1,500 miles the warning time would be about 11 minutes. Over shorter distances it could theoretically be anything from about 4 to about 15 minutes, according to the speed and trajectory of the missile.
§ Mr. WarbeyWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the heart of industrial England is only 900 miles from Soviet territory in former East Prussia? Will he now admit that the amount of warning of a missile attack that we would be likely to get would be entirely inadequate for this country to be able to do anything effective in defence of its people?
Mr. WardI have already made it clear more than once that the primary task of this station is not to warn the public but to make our deterrent more effective.