§ 9. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will clarify the precise powers of Her Majesty's Government over the release of cruise missiles based in East Anglia, in relation to the powers of the United States Government, specifying whether, in the circumstances of a nuclear war, arrangements have been made for consultation with the Americans on the use of cruise missiles in the few minutes available; and whether Her Majesty's Government will have at every stage of any nuclear confrontation, the inalienable, unqualified and unconditional right of veto over their use.
§ Mr. PattieI have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) on 29 April.
§ Mr. DalyellIn that reply there was a reference to joint decision. Does "joint decision" in that context mean dual key control of the missiles?
§ Mr. PattieNo.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsQuite apart from the need for the British Prime Minister to give consent by voice and by Telex before any nuclear weapons are used from this country, is it not a fact that United Kingdom authorities control the gas, water, electricity and traffic on which all American bases in Britain operate? Therefore, it is not possible for the Americans to operate independently out of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. PattieWhat my hon. Friend says is, of course, correct. It might be worth adding that "joint decision" means exactly what it says—not consultation, but decision.
§ Mr. Frank AllaunCan the cruise missile be defused after it has been launched? Would it not be much safer for Britain and the world if nuclear weapons were confined to the big two—America and Russia?
§ Mr. PattieThe answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question is "No". The answer to the second part of his question is that there is a major difference of opinion between the hon. Gentleman and the Government.
§ Mr. CryerThe Minister said that the Americans would not install missiles that did not work. Yet apparently the Government have no information on whether they work. Is it not true that it was the equipment that failed in the Iranian incident? Is it not true also that the Government were not informed? Is it not pathetic for any hon. Member to suggest that we might have some sort of control by cutting off the water or the gas if the Americans propose to use cruise missiles?
§ Mr. PattieI think that my hon. Friend was making a perfectly legitimate point, as he did in his first question to me, when he drew attention to the issue of joint decision and joint consultation. I think that it is one of the points that have been exercising the minds of Labour Members for some time.