§ Sir H. Studholmeasked the Minister of Defence whether, in view of continued misunderstanding, he will make a further statement with regard to the manning and operation of the sites in this country to be used for the rockets supplied to us by the United States of America.
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§ Mr. SandysI am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving me this further opportunity to explain that the missiles will be manned and operated by units of the Royal Air Force. The Agreement with the Government of the United States provides that missiles shall not be launched except by a joint positive decision of both Governments. The nuclear warheads which will, in accordance with the provisions of United States law, remain in American custody, will be kept in an unarmed condition so that there can be no risk of a nuclear explosion; and the weapon is designed in such a way that it would be impossible for it to be launched accidentally.