§ Mr. Boyesasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the circumstances in which United States surface ships and submarines carrying sea-launched cruise missiles with nuclear warheads may enter British ports (a) with and (b) without his prior knowledge and agreement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Stanley[pursuant to his answer, 21 June 1984, c. 235]: It is the policy of the United States Government as it is of Her Majesty's Government, neither to confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons in a particular location. United States Navy conventionally powered vessels, regardless of the nature of their weapons, enter British ports under the procedures for visits by NATO naval vessels which were brought into effect in 1977. United States Navy nuclear powered vessels enter British ports under long standing bilateral arrangements.