HC Deb 13 May 1986 vol 97 cc549-50
13. Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions during the past 20 years bases of armed forces in the United Kingdom have been put on red alert other than for non-emergency practice purposes.

Mr. Stanley

As I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Stockton, North (Mr. Cook) on 12 April 1984, there has been no warning of an imminent attack on the United Kingdom since 1945, nor have British or allied forces in this country been deployed to react to one.

Mr. Wigley

Can the Minister confirm that American forces based in the United Kingdom may be put on red or amber alert without prior notification or consultation with the United Kingdom Government?

Mr. Stanley

It has been made clear, not least by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, that if there is any question of a change in the nuclear alert state of United States' forces, the British Government would be informed.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

Is my right hon. Friend not sick and tired of the perpetual attacks on the United States of America by the Opposition? Does he agree that the people of this country, who are responsible and concerned about defence and security, are grateful for the tremendous contribution that the United States makes to the defence of the Western world? Will my right hon. Friend tell us what it would cost the United Kingdom and western Europe to fill the gap that would be left if the United States' forces returned to North America?

Mr. Stanley

The cost would be absolutely enormous. I entirely endorse all the sentiments expressed by my hon. Friend. The great majority of the British people are heartily sick of the non-stop anti-Americanism displayed by the Labour party.

Mr. Denzil Davies

In answer to a previous question the right hon. Gentleman said that chemical weapons would not be located in Britain—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The right hon. Gentleman must related his question to the present question and not to a previous one.

Mr. Davies

We are concerned to know where those chemical weapons would be deployed in Britain.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The same rules must apply to everyone. This is a question on red alerts.

Mr. Davies

Would it be on a red alert or would it be in a time of tension, as the United States Senate has said?

Mr. Stanley

That is a totally academic point, because the issue at the moment is whether NATO adopts the United States force goal. The Americans have made it clear that there will be no deployment in peace time outside the United States.