HC Deb 30 November 1960 vol 631 cc386-7
35. Mr. Paget

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what authority the Board of Admiralty exercises over ships using Holy Loch.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

Outside dockyard ports, direct Admiralty authority extends only to Her Majesty's Ships and Admiralty vessels. This applies equally to the Holy Loch as elsewhere. The movements of United States submarines and the supporting vessels in the Holy Loch and British territorial waters will, however, be agreed with the Royal Naval authorities.

Mr. Paget

In our territorial waters and anchorages the Admiralty has the right to direct anchoring positions and positions of moorings. Are we to take it that the written agreements to which the Prime Minister referred derogated from that general right of the Admiralty, or is the Admiralty's right to exercise control of movements in those waters retained?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

No. The Admiralty's right of control extends only over Admiralty dockyards, and incidentally Pembroke as well, but exceptionally in this case—and, as the Prime Minister said, that is an exceptional case—all movements will be agreed with the Royal Naval authorities.

Mr. W. Baxter

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very unsatisfactory state of affairs in which there does not appear to be any real control over this submarine using the Holy Loch? Will he give the House some indication about what action is being taken by Her Majesty's Government to safeguard the health of the people living in this area if there should be any radioactivity?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I do not think I can add anything to what the Prime Minister said on 1st November. He laid down very clearly that the movements there would be very closely co-ordinated and controlled between the United States and the Royal navies.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Having regard to potential dangers to the people in those areas, does not the hon. Gentleman think it would be right and proper that the authority for these exercises should be very clearly defined so that people will know what they are in for?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

As I have said, they have been very clearly defined and laid down, not only by the Prime Minister but also by the Minister of Defence in this House.

Mr. Paget

Are these agreements as to broad control to be published? Are we to see them?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

No. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] The movements of vessels have never been published in this House. It is a most unusual request. We have the assurance of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence that this will be carefully regulated in the interests of safety. I think that is as far as we can go.

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