§ Mr. Bob Cryer (Keighley)I have great pleasure in presenting this petition to urge Her Majesty's Government to do all in their power to close the communications station operated by the National Security Agency of America at Menwith Hill. The petition has been drawn up during and following two demonstrations organised by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament at Menwith Hill, which is on the moors above Harrogate, because people are anxious that the station, which is connected to a British telecommunications microwave tower, has never been given clear authority by the House. They feel strongly that, in the event of any international tension, the station will form a focus of attack, even though this country may not be involved, because it is operated on behalf of the American Government.
The petition has been signed by more than 6,000 people who feel that the Government should take urgent action. The station has never received any authority and is operated in complete secrecy. The petition reads as follows:
To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled. The Humble Petition of citizens of the United Kingdom Sheweth That the communications station operated by the National Security Agency of America at Menwith Hill in the County of North Yorkshire is a danger to their homes and families because it is engaged in espionage by satellite upon the Soviet Union and would therefore be a prime target for Soviet retaliation in the event of hostilities between the United States of America and the USSR even if the United Kingdom was not itself directly involved.Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House will urge Her Majesty's Government to do all in its power to close the communications station operated by the National Security Agency of America at Menwith Hill in the County of North Yorkshire.And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.