HC Deb 06 December 1962 vol 668 cc1497-9
Q6. Mr. Driberg

asked the Prime Minister what information he has received, in accordance with the Anglo-American agreement governing the control of nuclear weapons kept at United States Air Force bases in the United Kindom, about the incident at a base in Norfolk in 1958, when a mentally deranged master sergeant threatened to explode at atom bomb; if he is satisfied that United States personnel who hold positions of responsibility regarding control of nuclear or atomic weapons at United States bases in the United Kingdom are medically examined as suitable in all respects for such responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

Q10. Mr. M. Foot

asked the Prime Minister whether, following the incident when an American airman ran amok at the United States Air Force base at Sculthorpe, Norfolk, in 1958, he had consultations with the United States President about the taking of fresh precautions at such bases.

The Prime Minister

The facts were given to the House at the time by the then Secretary of State for Air. The American Serviceman referred to, locked himself in a shed for eight hours. The anxiety was not that he might explode at atomic bomb—there were none there—but that he might do something foolish with a pistol. I did not think it necessary to consult the President of the United States about this. [Laughter.]

Mr. Driberg

Although this seems to hon. Members opposite to be extremely frivolous and unimportant, is the Prime Minister aware that widespread destruction could have been caused, since it has now been admitted that, whether it was an atomic bomb or not, it was an atomic or nuclear device that this master sergeant threatened to destroy? That has now been admitted by the United States authorities, as reported. Can the Prime Minister say whether there was any consultation at the time with Her Majesty's Government before false information was given to the Press?

The Prime Minister

This incident was four years ago. This sergeant, unfortunately suffering from some mental delusions, shut himself up in a shed and threatened to kill himself with a .45 revolver. It is quite true that there was some explosive in the building and it is just conceivable that he might have caused it to explode had he carried out his threat, but his threat was to kill himself, not to shoot the explosive. There was no fissionable material in the building and no possibility of a nuclear explosion of any kind.

Mr. M. Foot

Is the Prime Minister aware that the information he has just given the House and the information that was given to the House four years ago by the Minister involved is contradicted in almost every particular by statements which have appeared on the authority of the United States authorities in the last few days? Therefore, will he give an undertaking, before he lands himself into further absurdities over this matter, to reconsider the whole question and to give a truthful statement to the House of Commons?

The Prime Minister

I have already given a statement which has been prepared for me, which I am satisfied is correct and a true and full account of what was said four years ago and what was said by the American authorities recently.