§ 52. Mr. Masonasked the Prime Minister to what extent Her Majesty's Government are kept informed of the false alarms which have alerted the Strategic Air Command in the United States of America; to what extent British based United States bombers have on these occasions been simultaneously alerted; whether the Royal Air Force V-bomber force has ever received any such emergency instructions; and to what extent there is collaboration over these alarms between the Governments concerned.
§ The Prime MinisterI would not expect to be informed of the day-to-day operation of measures for the defence of the United States. There is close operational co-ordination between the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force, but the particular measures taken by the United States Strategic Air Command in response to warnings from the North American Radar System, of which accounts have appeared in the Press, are not practised by the United States Air Force bombers based in the United Kingdom or by the Royal Air Force bomber force.
§ Mr. MasonIs not the Prime Minister of the opinion that if one of these false alarms accidentally triggers off a war, we shall be immediately committed, even if these islands have not been threatened? Can he give the House a categorical assurance that on no occasion have British-based bombers, American or British, ever been alerted in a manner similar to that in which the Nebraska-based bombers were?
§ The Prime MinisterI was trying to clear up the confusion which arose in another Question. These reports relate to the operations of the United States Air Force with bombers based in that country and in connection with the North American radar system which, as the House knows, is operated in the north of Canada. I do not think that I can extend the agreement, made originally by Lord Attlee and confirmed by my right hon. Friend the Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill), which concerns American bombers based in this country, to an attempt to control their practice in their own country.
§ Mr. BevanAre not we ourselves involved in the manner in which Strategic Air Command is managed by the United States? Is not it a fact that if an accident did occur, we would be immediately involved? Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what justification there can be in present circumstances for a degree of alertness which is short only of war itself? Is not this a permanent condition of mobilisation? Is there anything in the international situation to justify this posture on the part of the Western nations?
§ The Prime MinisterI was asked to what extent British-based United States bombers took part in these exercises, and the answer was not at all.
§ Mr. BevanDid not the right hon. Gentleman say in his reply that he did not consider that we should extend the agreement to cover what is happening to the Strategic Air Command? That is why I put the supplementary question. Have we no influence over American strategy?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. We have considerable influence in our friendly relations with the United States Administration. I will take note of what the right hon. Gentleman has said, but we cannot operate under the terms of this agreement.