HC Deb 21 December 1954 vol 535 cc2591-2
48. Mrs. Castle

asked the Prime Minister whether the agreement he reached with the United States Government on 9th January, 1952, on the use of air bases in the United Kingdom by United States military aircraft in an emergency is still in force.

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. This arrangement, as the hon. Lady will perhaps recall, was made originally by the late Government in the summer of 1948.

Mrs. Castle

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that last week-end the N.A.T.O. Council confirmed the fact that its military plans are based on the assumption that atomic weapons will be used automatically in the next war; which means, therefore, that when war is declared it will inevitably become an atomic war on a full scale, involving also the use of the United States Strategic Air Force in this country—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]—and in view of this fact, and the change in the situation—

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Mr. Speaker

This does not really expedite business.

Mrs. Castle

—which it involves since this agreement in 1948, can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what plans have been made or are being made for consultative machinery to be set up between the N.A.T.O. Powers concerned in order to get full political control over the use of atomic weapons?

The Prime Minister

I believe that I could contribute to the knowledge of the House on the matter, but not within the scope of a supplementary answer.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is the Prime Minister aware of a statement in the "Manchester Guardian" today that this country could be wiped out in the first 30 hours of a possible next war? Does he not think, in those circumstances, that we have entered into agreements which are making this country not more secure but less secure? In the interests of the great majority of the people of this country, is it not time that these agreements were revised?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Gentleman must not suppose that these matters are not always under grave re-examination and thought. I think they are the principal matter in the minds of the responsible people—I may say on both sides of the House. Anyone can see what the situation is. It is not easy to see how it can be remedied or removed.

Mrs. Castle

On a point of order. The Prime Minister said that Question time is not the appropriate time for eliciting what is decided by the N.A.T.O. Council. What opportunity will this House have of knowing what has been decided in these important discussions?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order for me.