HC Deb 13 May 1980 vol 984 cc1038-9
14. Mr. Stoddart

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is now ready to announce where updated United States medium-range nuclear weapons will be sited in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Pattie

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence said on this during the defence debate on 28 April.

Mr. Stoddart

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many people who live in areas where these sites may be located are extremely worried and concerned about them and about their own future, and believe that they should be consulted on whether the sites should be there? Is he further aware that they will be extremely concerned as a result of his answer to question No. 9 on dual control, especially bearing in mind the lack of consultation over the American rescue operation in Iran?

Mr. Pattie

As my right hon. Friend has previously indicated, we shall take the decision as soon as we possibly can. The appropriate level of consultation will be carried out. I do not think that the allegation or accusation can be made against the Government that in recent weeks that they have not done all that they possible could to make the maximum amount of information available on this and other related nuclear issues.

Mr. Onslow

As it is important that wherever the missiles are sited they should have adequate point defence provided by the Americans, can my hon. Friend say what progress has been made with regard to the purchase of Rapier by the United States Government.

Mr. Pattie

I can tell my hon. Friend that yesterday my right hon. Friend was handed a letter in Brussels from the United States Secretary for Defence requesting that we now proceed.

Mr. Cryer

The Minister says that maximum information has been made available, yet he failed to answer my question about the performance of the cruise missiles, either because he does not know or because he is concealing information. That is the fact of the matter, and the Minister should acknowledge it. He should also provide facilities for the Cruise Missile Sites Bill—

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman may complete his question, but he must ask it.

Mr. Cryer

Will the Government give time for that Bill, instead of getting a Government Whip to oppose it when it comes up on a Friday?

Mr. Pattie

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will welcome the fact that very soon, when we are ready to announce the decision, material will be available which, we hope, will be adequate both for the case for, and the operational performance of, this system.

Mr. Banks

From the point of view of protection and security, would it not be better if the location of the missile sites were not revealed?

Mr. Pattie

I think that that might be a little difficult to sustain in practice.

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