HC Deb 17 June 1959 vol 607 cc412-4
4. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Minister of Defence how far his regulations governing operational control of United States Strategic Air Command aircraft flying from Royal Air Force stations in the United Kingdom differ from those governing operational control of other United States aircraft in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Sandys

The same arrangements apply to all U.S. military aircraft stationed in this country.

Mr. de Freitas

Will the Minister remind N.A.T.O. headquarters of this fact so that when N.A.T.O. officers make public statements about these matters they make it clear that if their aircraft are based here the British Government have an operational veto on their use?

Mr. Sandys

I think the position is quite clear. Under the agreement, American aircraft will not operate from bases in Britain in an emergency except by the joint decision of the British and American Governments. I hope that that statement will make the position clear if there is any doubt on the subject.

Mr. Frank Allaun

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I should be glad to have your guidance on the following point. A Question very similar to this was put down by me a week ago to the Minister of Defence. It was transferred to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and it appears later on the Order Paper. Is it correct or quite fair that this treatment should be given to similar Questions?

Mr. G. Brown

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I point out that my Question No. 5 was put to the Prime Minister, who transferred it to the Minister of Defence?

Mr. Shinwell

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. My Question which is No. 29 today was first addressed to the Prime Minister, then it went to the Minister of Defence, and then to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. There seems to be some confusion. I should like to know whether the Minister of Defence proposes to answer the Questions addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the same matter.

Mr. F. Fletcher

Further to that point of order—

Mr. Speaker

I have frequently said on this matter, and I will repeat once again, that I have no control over the transfer of Questions. It is entirely a matter for Ministers. It is not for me to express an opinion as to the correctness or not of the transfer, certainly without considering the wording of the Questions—there may be some emphasis one way or another of which I am not aware. It is a matter entirely for Ministers

Mr. Sandys

On that point of order, Mr. Speaker, perhaps I may explain the matter, because it was at the request of the Government that these Questions were transferred. The original Questions on the Order Paper related to the question whether there had been a request from the North Atlantic Council to Her Majesty's Government. The matter of the North Atlantic Council is for the Foreign Office. Therefore, the Questions were properly transferred to the Foreign Secretary. If they had been all on the Order Paper at the same time, we could have answered them together. After that, a Question was put down asking whether we had had a request from the Supreme Allied Command in Europe, which is a matter properly to be addressed to the Minister of Defence. Therefore, the Questions have become separated in this way, which I think the House will understand.

6. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent the removal of American bombers to British bases will increase his defence expenditure.

Mr. Sandys

The United States Government pay the cost of the facilities provided for their forces now in Britain. The same arrangements would apply to any further American forces which might be stationed here at any time.

Mr. Hughes

Will the Minister suggest to the American authorities that, having regard to his statement in his own White Paper that it is not practicable to attempt to defend this country as a whole against nuclear attacks, it will be very unsafe for the Americans to bring their bombers here? Will he not be anti-American if he does not suggest to the Americans to take them away to a safer place like California, where the bombers will be safer, and so will we?

Mr. Sandys

I do not know whether the hon. Member is thinking of going there himself. I do not believe that the American Air Force shares his anxiety.