HC Deb 13 February 1963 vol 671 cc1280-1
4. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are any agreements with the United States of America restricting the use of Honest John and Corporal missiles in use with the British Army of the Rhine.

Mr. Profumo

The use of all tactical nuclear missiles in Europe, including those held by the British Army of the Rhine, is governed by arrangements with the United States concerning the custody of the warheads.

Mr. Wall

Would my right hon. Friend agree that it is essential to provide the British Army with wholly British-controlled tactical nuclear weapons? What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to proceed either with Blue Water or some similar weapon which is wholly British made and under British control?

Mr. Profumo

I cannot entirely agree with my hon. Friend. The use of tactical nuclear weapons in Europe can be ordered only by SACEUR and only he can authorise the release of warheads, in the same way that American fire units do not receive warheads until SACEUR gives the order. As regards the second part of my hon. Friend's question, that goes wider than the Question on the Order Paper.

Mr. Gordon Walker

Does not SACEUR exercise control in his capacity as an American commander and not as SACEUR, and is it not, therefore, true that this weapon cannot be fired without American consent?

Mr. Profumo

The right hon. Gentleman knows that no tactical nuclear weapon in Europe can be fired without the consent of the Supreme Allied Commander under much wider arrangements.

Mr. B. Harrison

In view of the fact that we have no tactical nuclear weapons under our control, will my right hon. Friend make arrangements for some adequate conventional artillery to be available to our Forces there?

Mr. Profumo

I am looking into this as a matter of very considerable urgency.

Mr. Gordon Walker

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer my first question? Would he agree that SACEUR does not give the order except as an American officer?

Mr. Profnmo

SACEUR happens to be an American officer, but he gives the order as Supreme Allied Commander in charge of all the troops.

5. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for War what types of surface-to-air missiles are in use or planned to be used by the British Army of the Rhine.

Mr. Profumo

Thunderbird 1 is in service with the British Army of the Rhine. It will be succeeded in a few years' time by Thunderbird 2. Surface-to-air missiles may also replace the present 40 mm. guns and fire control equipment.

Mr. Wall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the American Army has no fewer than 7 surface-to-air missiles to protect it? Will my right hon. Friend take steps to provide weapons to protect the British Army from low-flying nuclear supersonic attack such as that which can be delivered by the Blackburn Buccaneer?

Mr. Profumo

As my hon. Friend knows, we have 40 mm. guns and we plan to replace these with surface-to-air missiles.

Mr. Wigg

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how many of the L70s, that is, the 40 mm. Ack-Ack gun, have Yellow Fever?

Mr. Profumo

It would not be in the public interest to give this figure, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, we are pressing ahead with this and it would be wrong to represent that this particular form of air defence is not adequate at the moment.