HC Deb 13 May 1980 vol 984 cc1025-6
2. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what controls against accidental launch will be fitted to the cruise missile system which is to be deployed in the United Kingdom.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force (Mr. Geoffrey Pattie)

The cruise missiles to be deployed in this country are designed to most stringent safety and security standards to preclude accidental launch or other misuse.

Mr. Allaun

Is not it a fact that eight out of 10 of the 20 tests by Boeing and General Dynamics went seriously astray? If one of the 160 missiles is launched by accident against a Russian city, will that not result in retaliation against one or many of our own cities, and perhaps the lot?

Mr. Pattie

I remind the hon. Gentleman that we are talking about a weapon system which is some years from deployment. Mishaps of the type to which he refers occur at this stage in the development of any weapon system. Therefore, no particular adverse deductions should be drawn.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Is my hon. Friend aware that I visited the production plant to see the cruise missile? Does he accept that it is technically and inherently a much safer system than the manned aircraft which at present carry a nuclear load? Will my hon. Friend consider inviting the Americans to set out in simple terms why the system is so much safer than those that are at present available?

Mr. Pattie

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is "Yes". I shall certainly bear his question in mind.

Mr. Cryer

How can the Minister say anything about the testing and performance of cruise missiles when, in answer to a written question that I tabled asking for specific details about testing, he said that it was purely a matter for the United States Government? Do the Government have any information about cruise missiles? If not, why not? If they have the information, why cannot they reveal it to hon. Members? Alternatively, are we simply being trampled on by America? Are the missiles being imposed upon us without our having a right of consultation or veto?

Mr. Pattie

The United States Government have to be responsible for the operational effectiveness of the system, which is their system. The United States would not deploy a system unless it was satisfied that it would work.