HC Deb 09 April 1974 vol 872 cc147-9
19. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he proposes to initiate discussions with the NATO countries concerning the removal of Polaris bases from this country.

21. Mrs. Winifred Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what period of time has been given to the United States of America to continue to maintain the Polaris submarine bases at Holy Loch.

Mr. Mason

As my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary has already made clear, any proposal on the future of the Holy Loch base would form part of any multilateral discussions that would take place on disarmament, and the timing must be seen in this context.

Mr. Hughes

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that, following the October war in the Middle East and President Nixon's decision to order a nuclear alert, British lives were at stake without prior consultation with the British Government? Does not my right hon. Friend feel that it is now very much in Britain's interests for these bases to be removed, bearing in mind also that this is the official policy of the Labour Party?

Mr. Mason

On my hon. Friend's first point, there was concern in NATO circles and that has been registered. As for his second point, I can quote the Labour Party's manifesto to him and remind the House that we shall participate in multilateral disarmament negotiations and as a first step will seek the removal of American Polaris bases from the United Kingdom. However, I cannot initiate the discussions at the moment.

Mrs. Ewing

Will the right hon. Gentleman acquaint American authorities with the fact that there is great feeling against these bases in Scotland and with the simple fact that 60 per cent. of the Scottish electorate support parties whose official policy is the removal of the Polaris bases? That is a large majority.

Mr. Mason

I am aware of the view of the hon. Lady. I am not satisfied that it represents Scottish opinion—

Mrs. Ewing

Sixty per cent.

Mr. Mason

—but I will take that into consideration when we consider how best to negotiate the future of the bases.

Mr. George Lawson

As a Member representing a Scottish constituency, may I press my right hon. Friend to continue to bear in mind that the defence of Western Europe, including Scotland, has to a very large extent been dependent upon the continuing presence of United States forces in this country? If my right hon. Friend finds himself under too heavy pressure on this matter, will he consult his right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to secure his assessments since he is very concerned that we maintain the very best possible relations with the United States?

Mr. Mason

I am obliged to my hon. Friend. It may be a tinge of nationalism and the tail-end of the argument "Yanks go home". We have a number of American bases in the heartland of Britain, but we do not have the same pressure there, strangely enough.

Mr. Younger

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman not to convey any such impression as that suggested by the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mrs. Ewing) to his American counterparts about the opinion of people in Scotland? Is he aware that the Provost of Dunoon recently expressed himself as strongly of the view that local people would prefer the Polaris base to stay there?

Mrs. Ewing

Ask them.

Mr. Younger

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that the hon. Lady's view of Scottish public opinion on this matter is the opposite of the truth?

Mr. Mason

I am obliged for the hon. Gentleman's support. Apart from the Scottish nationalism of the affair, my party is obliged, to quote the manifesto, to seek the removal of American Polaris bases". But there are certain difficulties at the moment. First, the strategic arms limitation talks are going on, and they are bilateral. Secondly, the mutual and balanced force reduction talks are going on in Central Europe concerning ground forces. Therefore, I must warn the House and my right hon. and hon. Friends that it will take a little time before I can start the multilateral negotiations which are necessary in the wider context of détente and deterrence.

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