§ 27. Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the security and other implications for British interests of the theft of a Sidewinder rocket from a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation base.
§ Mr. HealeySidewinder has been in service for more than 10 years. It is used by many nations, and combat losses have occurred. The theft which occurred a year ago is, therefore, not considered to have any great military significance.
§ Mr. RidsdaleWhilst it has no military significance, would not the Secretary of State agree that it is very alarming that a Soviet agent can enter a N.A.T.O. base and steal such a rocket? Will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that he has made enough security arrangements to make sure that such a theft could not be made from a British base?
§ Mr. HealeyWe have had no such thefts from British bases, and I am satisfied with our security in this respect.