§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made preparatory to the setting up of a cruise missile base at Molesworth; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyAs stated in the 1981 statement on Defence estimates, cruise missiles are not due to be deployed to RAF Molesworth until about 1988. Major construction is not scheduled to begin until late 1985, but in preparation for this surveys have taken place at the site and action is in hand to consult local authorities and other agencies so that development plans can be finalised and the normal process of planning consultation set in hand.
§ Mr. Cabornasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether Her Majesty's Government have at any time proposed to the United States that each of the 10 ground-launched cruise missile flights be based at separate locations.
§ Mr. StanleyBasing plans for ground-launched cruise missiles deployed in the United Kingdom was announced to the House by my right hon. Friend the former Secretary of State for Defence on 17 June 1980. Those plans have not changed. Discussions between the United Kingdom and the United States relating to these plans are confidential between the two Governments.