HC Deb 18 March 1959 vol 602 cc384-6
22. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Air when the Thor missiles in Britain are expected to become operational.

Mr. Neave

After the successful completion of proving trials in the United States.

Mr. de Freitas

Has the Under-Secretary seen the report in the Financial Times and other newspapers of the evidence given to Congress by the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, that these missiles are already operational and ready to be fired? Does not this make absolute nonsense of the statement of the Government that they are there merely for training when, after all, the Americans have the warheads and are able to operate them?

Mr. Neave

I have seen the newspaper report referred to, but not yet the full content of the statement and it is difficult to speculate. I imagine what was meant was that these were production weapons and not just dummies. We shall not treat them as operational until the trials in America show what modifications are necessary to improve the accuracy and reliability of the Thor missile and when these have been incorporated in all our weapons.

Mr. de Freitas

While welcoming that statement of Government intentions, may I ask if the hon. Gentleman recognises that this is the third important American in a matter of a few months who has referred to these missiles being operational and ready to be fired, including the American Minister of Defence himself, and that that is completely contrary to what the hon. Gentleman has said is the intention of the British Government?

Mr. Neave

I should like to study the full text of the statement with reference to what was said about "fully operational".

Mr. Ellis Smith

Will the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that he will consult his right hon. Friend with a view to consulting the Minister of Defence on whether these bases should be proceeded with in view of the very serious statement made in the latest book to be published by one of America's finest generals who has experience in this matter?

Mr. Neave

We have always said that we consider that the Thor can be a valuable contribution to the deterrent.

23. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Air when the Thor missiles in Britain are operational, how many hours each day it is the intention to man them; and what is the estimated cost of maintaining and manning the missile bases.

Mr. Neave

Twenty-four. When the whole of the force becomes operational, the annual running cost should be about £3 million to £4 million, mostly on pay.

Mr. de Freitas

Is not it more and more obvious that these missiles are not satisfactory, that they have not passed their tests and that we should not proceed further in wasting public money on the installation and building of these bases?

Mr. Neave

I do not agree with the hon. Member. The tests are going extremely well.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

Would my hon. Friend confirm that these missiles are considerably cheaper to operate than aircraft and also cause much less nuisance and noise to surrounding districts when they are operated?

Mr. Mason

Would the hon. Gentleman say whether when the operational Thors are on their launching pads and the training programme complete the nuclear warhead will be a permanent feature of the Thor missile itself?

Mr. Neave

That depends on the completion of these tests and of what a "fully operational missile" consists. I could not give an answer at this stage.