HC Deb 28 January 1959 vol 598 cc1037-8
1. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Air if the intermediate-range ballistic missiles now being installed, and about to be installed, in Great Britain can be recalled or blown-up in mid-air if discovered to have been launched in error.

The Secretary of State for Air (Mr. George Ward)

Procedures for handling and control of these missiles are such as to ensure that they cannot be launched in error.

Mr. Allaun

But is it not a fact that if they were launched in error there would be only fifteen minutes in which to discover the error—a far shorter time than was available when American bombers, launched in error against the East, were recalled over the Pole? Will the Minister consider the Labour Party proposal that no further steps should be taken to build these bases until a fresh attempt has been made to negotiate with Russia at top level?

Mr. Ward

No, Sir. I have already assured the House that handling procedures are such that these missiles cannot be launched in error. Therefore the question does not arise.

Mr. G. Brown

Will the Minister explain how he can be so sure that these missiles would not be launched in error? Unless he is saying that no missile will be launched until after we have been hit, how can he guarantee that a case would never occur when we would launch a missile and, on second thoughts, prefer that it had not been so launched?

Mr. Ward

The arrangements agreed between the Government of the United States and Her Majesty's Government ensure that a missile can be launched only on a joint decision of the Prime Minister and the President, and this would be done only if the facts were indisputably clear.

2. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Air who has the final decision over launching the missiles now being installed in Great Britain.

Mr. Ward

As stated in the White Paper published last February—Cmnd. 366—the decision to launch these missiles would be a matter for joint decision by Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government.

Mr. Allaun

What does that really mean? Is not it obvious that Parliament could not be consulted? There would not be time even for the Cabinet to jump into their taxis. As Mr. Dulles has said, the decision would have to be taken by the military commander in the field, on the spot. In view of the recent public poll, which showed that a majority of people were against these bases in any case, will the Minister stop work on them?

Mr. Ward

No. What it means is that the decision to launch these missiles will be taken in exactly the same manner as we laid down in the arrangements for taking decisions under the Attlee-Truman agreement.

Mr. G. Brown

In view of the fact that the missiles which are sited here can act as an attraction to an attack upon us, will not the Minister consider giving a flat assurance that the final word will always be with the British Government, and not with somebody else?

Mr. Ward

These weapons are a joint deterrent between the British and the Americans, and the decision to launch them would be a joint one.