§ 8. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Air what consultations he has had recently with the Government of the United States of America regarding United States Air Force bases in Great Britain, with particular regard to the recent United States Air Force statement that their rundown is to be reversed.
§ Mr. H. FraserNo such statement has been made. I was, however, consulted about the announcement which the United States authorities made last month that Air Force units in England were to be transferred from the command of the 17th Air Force in Germany to that of the 3rd Air Force in this country. No move of operational units is involved and the effect on United States Air Force manpower in this country is negligible.
§ Mr. AllaunI thank the Minister for that Answer. Does it not involve, first, technical nonsense, and, secondly, the increased risk that our country will become very vulnerable and number one priority target in the event of a world war starting?
§ Mr. FraserNo, I do not think either of those statements is true. It is merely a matter of command structure. No units have been moved to this country. It is merely the transferance of control from one American headquarters to another.
§ Mr. PagetDoes that mean that the air support of the N.A.T.O. Forces in Germany is now being based on Britain rather than on France?
§ Mr. FraserIt was never based on France. It was based on Germany. It is a transfer of control from Germany to this country.
§ Mr. E. JohnsonWould not my right hon. Friend agree that the presence of the United States Air Force in this country not only strengthens our own defences but also does a certain amount to provide civilian employment?
§ Mr. FraserI quite agree.