HC Deb 24 July 1984 vol 64 c816
16. Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if any United States aircraft based in the United Kingdom are equipped to use chemical weapons including binary munitions.

Mr. Stanley

No United States aircraft based in the United Kingdom are either tasked or specially equipped to carry chemical munitions.

Mr. Cohen

I am pleased to hear that, but if the Government are serious about getting a chemical weapons ban—[HON. MEMBERS: "Reading."]—is the Minister prepared — [HON. MEMBERS: "Reading."] to tell the United States that the United Kingdom does not want its chemical weapons in this country, and that we will not allow any planes in this country to have those chemical weapons? [HON. MEMBERS: "Reading."] Will he also tell the United States that he will provide no facilities and in no way countenance plans for a theatre chemical weapons war in this country or in Europe?

Mr. Stanley

I did not entirely hear the hon. Member's question, but there is no deployment of chemical weapons in this country.

Mr. Warren

Will my hon. Friend accept that, as one of the parliamentary party that yesterday had the opportunity to visit Porton Down, I feel that it is good to see the strenuous and correct efforts being made by this country to combat the tremendous threat that we are suffering from the Soviet Union, which has 300,000 tonnes of chemical weapons mounted against us?

Mr. Stanley

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing attention to the great severity of the Soviet offensive chemical capability, and I am also grateful for his tribute to the important defensive work done at Porton Down.

Mr. Denzil Davies

Will the Minister give a clear assurance that the Government have no intention of allowing American chemical weapons, binary or otherwise, to be established in the United Kingdom?

Mr. Stanley

I can only repeat to the right hon. Gentleman what I have said. There is no deployment by the United States of chemical weapons in this country.