HL Deb 16 May 1986 vol 474 cc1390-2

11.20 a.m.

Lord Kennet

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will now open discussions with their European allies about the "European Architecture Study" (of strategic defence to be based in Europe) which the Government is negotiating to undertake for the United States Administration under the secret memorandum of understanding on the American strategic defence initiative (H.L. Debates, 7th May, col. 812).

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government consider that there is no need to open such discussions at this stage. However, the need for European allied consultation will be kept under review.

Lord Kennet

My Lords, will the Government confirm or correct the press reports that the United States will fund this study to the tune of £7 million? Since it is a study about whether, and if so how, to introduce an SDI—a star wars system—onto European soil for the Europeans, can he tell the House how there can possibly be any justification for delay in getting together with Continental European member governments of NATO and asking whether they approve or would wish us to undertake this study on behalf of the United States, independently or with them, and if not, why it is not a multilateral study?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I am afraid that I cannot confirm the figure the noble Lord mentioned, but during negotiations with the United States Government on this study they have always made it quite clear that they are looking for a United Kingdom product. Naturally, however, if it transpires during the various phases of the study that consultation with our European allies might prove to be desirable or essential, such consultation would of course be considered.

Lord Boston of Faversham

My Lords, can the Minister say a little more about why there have not been discussions with our other allies in Europe? Is it perhaps because some of them at least are understandably more reluctant than Her Majesty's Government to become involved in the strategic defence initiative, either in principle or because they do not see any commercial or financial advantages in it?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I do not think that is the right message to take from it at all. I really cannot go further than I have indicated to the noble Lord, Lord Kennet, but perhaps the noble Lord may like to know additionally that at the end of May the United States Government are to issue notice of further requirements for separate studies of a similar nature which may involve participation by our European allies.

Lord Gladwyn

My Lords, is not the whole idea of a separate SDI for Western Europe—if that is the intention—which even if practical against strategic missiles (which is highly doubtful) could not possibly defend us against cruise missiles, whether launched from aeroplanes or from the ground, or indeed against low trajectory missiles, an absurd illusion and a complete waste of money?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the noble Lord will be aware that this particular issue is one of 18 work programmes which are being looked at in conjunction with the SDI initiative. That is the way it should be looked at.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, the noble Lord the Minister said that Her Majesty's Government were considering negotiations with our European allies. Can he give some indication of when we shall enter into full discussion with our European allies and have as much say as we do; or are we to be dictated to by the United States of America?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, what I said was that naturally, if during the various phases of the study it transpires that consultation with our European allies might prove to be desirable or essential, such consultation would of course be considered.

Lord Kennet

My Lords, will the Government bear in mind that the main SDI studies themselves—that is, of the American SDI—are being undertaken by other countries under bilateral treaties with the United States? So far, this country, Germany, Portugal and Israel have signed agreements and all those memoranda of agreement are secret. If we are now to have a second series of secret bilateral arrangements with the United States will not that certainly put paid to any hope of building up the European pillar of NATO as such?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I do not think that the noble Lord should draw that conclusion. The memorandum of understanding, as he says, is secret, and it is not unusual for inter-governmental agreements or arrangements, of which the SDI MOU is an example, to be treated in this way.