§ Q5. Mr. Cryerasked the Prime Minister what representations she has received regarding the siting of cruise missiles in the United Kingdom.
§ The Prime MinisterI have received two petitions and about 400 letters.
§ Mr. CryerDoes the Prime Minister accept that the £10 million spent on installing cruise missiles could be better used to increase mobility allowance by at least £1 per week and the single-parent premium by at least 50p per week for 12 months or more? Does the right hon. Lady agree that, since Parliament was ignored, the people who live within 30 miles and preferably a wider radius around the proposed cruise missiles sites should have the right to vote on whether they accept them, with an 80 per cent. vote as for the closed shops, for example? Alternatively, does the right hon. Lady believe that freedom of choice exists only when she has the choice?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman asked a similar question before. As he knows, no freedom would exist 1651 in this country unless there were a Government prepared to defend it. It is the task of the Government to make such provision as they believe appropriate, debated before Parliament, to provide for the proper defence of this country to deter any enemies at all levels. The provision of cruise missiles is one of those levels.