§ 39. Mr. G. Brownasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recent disorders at Holy Loch where demonstrators tried to board the submarine depot ship "Proteus", he will review the security arrangements as set out in the agreement which he made with the President of the United States of America, bearing in mind a possible change in location of the depot ship.
§ The Prime MinisterThe security arrangements are adequate to safeguard the operational use of the Holy Loch anchorage, and they are kept under review. As regards location the Holy Loch provides the most suitable anchorage for the ship and its submarines in the United Kingdom and, as I have said, its operational use is not affected by these demonstrations.
§ Mr. BrownOn the first part of his Answer, how can the Prime Minister say that in view of the fact that the crew was absolutely anchored on the boat—[Interruption.]—that is the right phrase—and any services required by the boat could not get to them? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the situation earned for us the maximum bad Press in America, and that a round-by-round commentary on the fight went to Russia? Whatever the merits or demerits of having "Proteus" here, does the Prime Minister not think that the Government have a duty to protect these ships and their personnel a great deal better than they have done in this case?
§ The Prime MinisterThere are, of course, different views about this matter—I recognise that—but I think that it is best just to let these things work themselves out. I do not think that there will be any permanent trouble and I was glad to see that the American Navy are perfectly satisfied with the situation.
§ Sir J. DuncanMay I ask my right hon. Friend, as a fellow Scot, whether he realises that the local people are perfectly happy with "Proteus" if they could keep away the "beatnik" Englishmen?
§ The Prime MinisterThere are sometimes Welshmen, too.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIs the Prime Minister aware that events have proved that the Scottish T.U.C., which speaks unanimously for Scottish trade unionism on this matter—[HON. MEMBERS: "Nonsense."]—has been proved right in its protest against this vessel being brought there? Is he aware also that, as was shown by Prime Minister Nehru in India, a nation can fight for its independence by non-violent methods as successfully as by methods of violence?
§ The Prime MinisterThat, of course, is a tenable proposition, that one can support one's country by non-violent methods. Fortunately, it is one which many Members of this House have not found it their duty to practise either in the First or in the Second World War.
§ Mr. BrownMay I press the Prime Minister again on the last part of my Question? Is he aware that there are many people who think that the ultimate 421 reason for placing this thing in the Holy Loch was the argument that the crew's families had to be near an area of considerable urban development? [Interruption.] Would it not be a good thing if the Government and the American Government looked again at the possibility of locating this depot ship somewhere up the West Coast of Scotland, possibly in Loch Ewe, where the same natural conditions apply? [Interruption]
§ The Prime MinisterAll the matters were carefully looked at from both the technical, anchorage, Air Force communications and, of course, the social viewpoints and we came to this decision after very careful consideration with our American allies. [Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I request hon. Members to keep a reasonable degree of silence.