§ 9. Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the status of the United States operational concept for the ground-launched cruise missile based in the United Kingdom.
§ 12. Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the status of the United States operational concept for the ground-launched cruise missile based in the United Kingdom.
§ 14. Mr. Easthamasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the status of the United States operational concept for ground-launched cruise missiles based in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. StanleyThe operational concept for ground-launched cruise missiles remains as described in the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1981".
§ Mr. PikeDoes the Minister seriously believe that the Government can control and contain a nuclear war in Europe, as outlined in a Ministry of Defence publication which states that the use of cruise would be considered even to persuade Russian withdrawal at the eleventh hour? Will it be used in that context?
§ Mr. StanleyThe whole substance of the Government's policy rests on the principle of deterrence. As has been said many times, the cruise missiles deployed in this country are subject to firing with the consent of the British Prime Minister.
§ Mr. Ron LewisWill the Minister confirm the statement by the United States chief of staff that cruise launchers are capable of autonomous action? In the early stage of a crisis, is it not dangerous to put that capability in the hands of American officers?
§ Mr. StanleyWe are wholly satisfied with the command and control arrangements for cruise missiles.
§ Mr. EasthamIs it not true that the United States chief of staff has confirmed that, at American direction, the theatre commanders can launch cruise missiles? If so, does that not make complete nonsense of any political control by NATO?
§ Mr. StanleyI can assure the hon. Gentleman that the whole question of the control of cruise missiles is subject to firm political control throughout NATO.
§ Mr. HayesWill my hon. Friend take the opportunity to condemn the Left-wing propaganda coming from the Opposition Benches in the form of a suggestion that the cruise missile has first-strike capability? Will he tell the House that, in order to have such a capability, the cruise missile would have to be sudden, massive and accurate, whereas at the moment it is just accurate?
§ Mr. StanleyI agree with my hon. Friend. I never cease to wonder at the extent of the preoccupation of the Labour party with the weapons of our allies, which are there to defend us, and its almost total silence on the weapons of our opponents, which threaten us.
§ Mr. DickensIs it not a fact that despite the mean, spiteful, distorted, unfair and unjust remarks of Labour Members, they would be the first to wish to hide under the United States' umbrella if they were threatened?
§ Mr. StanleyI agree with my hon. Friend that our American allies deserve vastly better than they get from the Labour party.
§ Mr. AshdownIs the Minister aware that, according to a recent statement by General Meyer in the United States senatorial hearings in Washington, the operational concept for launching ground-launched cruise missiles and Pershing II calls for a proportion of these to be launched quickly on the sole authority of the United States theatre commander? How can the Minister square that with his belief that we do not need a dual key because the agreement of the British Government is needed before a weapon can be launched?
§ Mr. StanleyWe are wholly satisfied that the launch of cruise missiles would be under political control.
§ Mr. Denzil DaviesThe hon. Gentleman has repeated himself, but he has not answered the question. Is he saying that, as far as Britain is concerned, General Meyer was wrong and the operational commander does not have discretion to fire the missiles?
§ Mr. StanleyAs far as ground-launched cruise missiles based in the United Kingdom are concerned, the position on command and control is exactly as stated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.