HC Deb 24 July 1963 vol 681 cc1436-7
10. Mr. Short

asked the Secretary of State for Air what study he has made of the data made available to him from tests carried out by the Radio Corporation of America Limited at Fylingdales Early Warning Station; and what conclusions he has drawn regarding the length of warning of hostile missiles and the accuracy of retaliatory action.

Mr. H. Fraser

A team of members of the United States Air Force, the Royal Air Force and the Radio Corporation of America Ltd. is carrying out routine tests of equipment installed at Fylingdales. These are proceeding satisfactorily. The length of warning of hostile missiles given by the station would depend on a number of variables, but I can assure the hon. Member that the V-bombers would be able to carry out accurate retaliatory action. The accuracy of the retaliation is not, of course, dependent upon the warning given from Fylingdales.

Mr. Short

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have received some information, which I am prepared to pass on to him, which suggests that this station is virtually worthless in its present position, because of the topography of the local area; that the maximum amount of warning given would be two minutes, and that any information sent to the launching pad would be hundreds of miles off target? If I give the right hon. Gentleman the information and the source of it, will the Minister investigate it and discuss it with the Americans?

Mr. Fraser

I have seen this information, which is pretty inaccurate. It has appeared in one northern newspaper, and refers to the multi-path propagation problems of a new radar station. This is fully in hand, and I have full confidence that any local difficulties that may exist will be quickly overcome. As for the siting of the station, there is no question that this is the right site. It was decided upon by our experts and American experts. I have checked this newspaper article, which may have been the source of the hon. Member's information, and I find it to be entirely erroneous and misleading.

Mr. Short

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the source of this information is not a newspaper article? I will give him the source. Will he now tell me that if I pass it to him he will investigate it?

Mr. Fraser indicated assent.

Sir John Eden

Can my right hon. Friend say when this important part of the overall defensive system in the West will come into operation?

Mr. Fraser

I very much hope that it will be in September.

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