§ 2. Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United States of America testing programme for the ground-launched cruise missile has included a sequential launch of four missiles from a single transporter erector launcher.
§ Mr. StanleyI understand that in addition to extensive sequential launched simulations in both laboratory and field environments, the United States ground-launched cruise missile test programme has included an actual sequential launch test involving two missiles.
§ Mr. DobsonIs the Minister aware that the idea of a sequence of two is absurd? As there have been faults with more than 1,000 air-launched cruise missiles, is he aware that it is absurd to bring missiles into the heart of this country when they have not even been properly tested in ideal testing conditions?
§ Mr. StanleyI cannot imagine what the hon. Gentleman finds absurd about a sequential launch of two missiles. That seems a perfectly sensible test to have made when they are mounted in groups of four. The flight test programme of the ground-launched cruise missiles has, generally speaking, been thoroughly satisfactory.
§ Mr. AdleyIs not the difference between a free and an enslaved group of societies starkly illustrated by the way in which the NATO countries individually debate, vote on and decide these matters, whereas the countries of the Soviet bloc do as they are told?
§ Mr. StanleyI agree with my hon. Friend, and the events of the next 35 minutes or so will not be reproduced in Moscow.
§ Ms. Clare ShortGiven that such tests might take place from Greenham common, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to explain why British soldiers who guard the perimeter of Greenham common are in grotty little corrugated huts, like nightwatchmen, while the American soldiers inside are in—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I do not think that the hon. Lady has read the Order Paper.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. If the hon. Lady reads the question she will see that it is concerned with launches from single transporter erector launchers.
§ Ms. ShortOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I referred to the possibility of such tests taking place from Greenham common, which surely brought my supplementary question into order.
§ Mr. SpeakerI shall not argue with the hon. Lady about that, but will permit the Minister to answer her.
§ Mr. SpeakerVery well.
§ Ms. ShortMight the conditions in which British soldiers are operating at Greenham common explain their misbehaviour towards the women who are trying to protest against—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. That is an abuse of Question Time.
§ Mr. StanleyThere will be no flight testing from Greenham common.