HC Deb 01 March 1983 vol 38 cc126-7
11. Mr. Alan Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions on which the arrangements under the communiqué of January 1952 relating to joint decisions regarding the use of American nuclear bases in the United Kingdom have been invoked.

Mr. Blaker

There have been no occasions on which the operational use in an emergency of United States forces in this country has been in question. The arrangements provided for in the agreement for joint decision-making, summarised in the communiqué of January 1952, have, therefore, never been activated.

Mr. Clark

If my right hon. Friend is entirely satisfied with these arrangements, why is he making provision for every missile to be accompanied on dispersal by British service men?

Mr. Blaker

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already explained that. In addition, my hon. Friend will realise that missiles need to be protected.

Mr. Flannery

Did the Minister see the film last night which revealed that there are well over 100 American bases in this country and that the British people had no idea of that? Can he explain why we almost never see an American in uniform in this country? Is it being concealed from the British people just how many there are here?

Mr. Blaker

If it is true that there are more than 100 American bases in this country, that was the position when the Labour party was in power. The Labour party did not tell the House very much about it, but it is not, in fact, true that there are such bases. There is a considerably smaller number. There are seven operational bases in this country in addition to a number of facilities. As I told the House on the last occasion when I was at the Dispatch Box, one of the alleged bases was discovered on examination to be a petrol pump in the Edgware road.