HL Deb 16 December 1985 vol 469 c646WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the United States President has given an undertaking to the British Government, parallel to that which he has given to the Italian Government, that United States bases in this country will be used only for NATO purposes.

The Minister of State for Defence Support (Lord Trefgarne)

Arrangements for the control of American forces based in the United Kingdom were first agreed by Mr. Attlee and President Truman in 1951. That agreement was endorsed by Mr. Churchill and President Truman in further discussions in 1952. The understanding reached was summarised in a joint communiqué, the relevant section of which readsUnder arrangements made for the common defence, the United States has the use of certain bases in the United Kingdom. We reaffirm the understanding that the use of these bases in an emergency would be a matter for joint decision by Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time. Any arrangements concerning the use by US forces of bases in Italy would be a matter for the Governments of those countries.