HC Deb 26 April 1988 vol 132 cc187-8
3. Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of United States forces stationed in Britain; and how many bases they have.

The Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr. Ian Stewart)

There are usually around 30,000 United States service personnel in the United Kingdom. We currently make available 66 bases and facilities for United States forces in this country, the majority of which are small support facilities.

Mr. Corbyn

Is the Minister aware that the recent publication "Over Here", produced by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, lists 157 such bases, not 66 that the hon. Gentleman mentioned? Will the hon. Gentleman assure us that this army of occupation of 30,000 personnel is not spying on any British citizens or political activities in this country? Will the hon. Gentleman further assure— [Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member for Northampton, North (Mr. Marlow) must keep his gestures to himself.

Mr. Corbyn

Will the Minister further assure the House that the British Government have complete control over all activities in United States bases and that they will not allow those forces to deny civil liberties to people demonstrating outside them or to those who observe cruise missiles while they are touring around this country? Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House that it is time for the United States forces to leave this country and stop harassing British citizens and making Britain a nuclear aircraft carrier for the Pentagon?

Mr. Stewart

Contrary to what the hon. Gentleman and many of his friends in the Labour party think, the presence of United States bases in this country is the surest guarantee of American support for European defence. As for the publications of CND, the activities of that body tend to be highly misleading and inaccurate and it sounds as though this latest one is no exception.

Mr. Forth

Will my hon. Friend confirm that our friends and allies the Americans are here very much at our invitation and that we have every confidence in their activities in this country in joining us in defending not only the United Kingdom but NATO and all our other allies?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, indeed. I warmly support what my hon. Friend has said. The removal of American bases from the United Kingdom would put at risk the whole basis of the United States commitment to the defence of Europe. I cannot think of anything more damaging for the security of this country or our Western allies than what Opposition Members propose.

Mr. James Lamond

How many United States civilian personnel are attached to support services to the 66 bases?

Mr. Stewart

I mentioned about 30,000 United States service personnel. I cannot give the hon. Gentleman even an approximate figure for non-service personnel, but if he tables a question on those lines I shall see what information I can give him.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I appeal for short and single questions, rather than catalogues, which take a lot of time.