HC Deb 23 June 1981 vol 7 c129
11. Miss Joan Lestor

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the current efficiency of early warning arrangements in the event of a nuclear attack.

Mr. Blaker

Yes, Sir.

Miss Lestor

Bearing in mind that the highlighting of civil defence and early warning systems makes people believe the dangerous illusion that this country could survive a nuclear attack, if the whole reason for Britain's retaining nuclear weapons is to ensure that we shall not be attacked by other nations, why do we need early warning systems and survival kits?

Mr. Blaker

Because it convinces the potential enemy of our seriousness about deterrence.

Mr. Robert Atkins

Will my hon. Friend confirm that one of the results of the Civil Service strike has been to affect the RAF's early warning radar, because the PSA has refused to work on some of the generators, so that the supply has had to be taken from the national grid, which is inadequate, and the RAF early warning radar cover has therefore had to be downgraded?

Mr. Blaker

I have no information to suggest that the consequences are serious.

Mr. J. Enoch Powell

Is this the system that failed to pick up the Israeli attack on Iraq?

Mr. Blaker

I do not know the answer to that question.

Mr. Wilkinson

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that the Western approaches to this country are adequately covered, as Warsaw Pact air forces now have aircraft of sufficient range to attack this country, with nuclear weapons if need be, from that direction?

Mr. Blaker

The brief answer is "Yes". We are well aware that the Backfire bomber could attack Great Britain from the West and from other directions.