HC Deb 26 June 1984 vol 62 cc797-8
8. Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the latest ground-launched cruise missile testing programme.

Mr. Stanley

The overall flight testing of the ground-launched cruise missile has been satisfactory.

Mr. Dobson

Does the newly created right hon. Gentleman seriously think that the British people will think that the programme has been satisfactory when it appears from reports in the United States that more than half the missiles fired have not worked properly? Can he confirm that, although there are four tubes on each launcher, the best that the United States has managed so far is two missiles fired from each launcher? As Ministers have told us about previous American weapons installed in Britain, can the right hon. Gentleman now say whether there has been any previous example of so untested a weapon being introduced in Britain by the United States?

Mr. Stanley

The hon. Gentleman's figures are not accurate. Of the 10 flight tests of ground-launched cruise missile, only one was classed as a failure.

Mr. Alexander

The women at Greenham common have made it clear that they intend to disrupt the testing programme. Can my right hon. Friend estimate the numbers now protesting at Greenham common and confirm that under no circumstances will they succeed in disrupting the testing programme?

Mr. Stanley

My hon. Friend will be aware that we are considering the flight testing programme of the cruise missiles. As he referred to the off-base training programme, I am delighted to confirm that it has been carried out satisfactorily and that it has not been impeded by demonstrators.

Mr. Barron

Have the tests on cruise missiles shown that they can be used in the way outlined in the MOD document handed out at Greenham common—as an alternative to surrender or all-out nuclear war?

Mr. Stanley

The operational concept of cruise missiles is to add to deterrence and to provide an offset against the SS20 capability. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will take into account the fact that before the NATO INF deployment decision was taken, there were 243 SS20 warheads targeted against us, but that figure had risen to 729 by the time that NATO deployment had actually began. Those are the facts about which we should hear more from Opposition Members.

Mr. Viggers

Does my right hon. Friend remember that when Members of Parliament were given an opportunity to visit Greenham common, Labour Members chose to posture outside the gates rather than take full opportunity to visit the base? Is my right hon. Friend aware that those of us who visited the base and took the opportunity to study the system were impressed by it, and especially by the safeguards built into it?

Mr. Stanley

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for those remarks. I am certain that that visit was beneficial for those who took part in it in full and that it confirmed to my hon. Friends that the safety arrangements at Greenham common were undoubtedly satisfactory.

Mr. Cartwright

If the Netherlands Government finally reach a firm conclusion not to accept their 48 successfully tested cruise missiles, will the remaining four basing nations be expected to take a larger share of cruise missiles so as to maintain the original NATO concept of 572 warheads?

Mr. Stanley

The hon. Gentleman asks a hypothetical question. We hope that it will remain hypothetical and that the Dutch Government will be able to adhere to the original NATO deployment programme.

Mr. Dalyell

If the figures of my hon. Friend the Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) are not accurate, the right hon. Gentleman must have in his brief the accurate figures. May the House have them?

Mr. Stanley

As I recall, I have already given details of the flight testing arrangements and have said that, of the 10 flight tests, only one has been classified by the Americans as a failure.