§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultation procedures are currently in force regarding military action by United States forces based in the United Kingdom; if he has received any requests from the United States Government for the use of bases in the United Kingdom for possible military action in the middle east; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThe Churchill/Truman understanding of 1952 reaffirmed that the use of United States basis in the United Kingdom 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. Appropriate arrangements exist to cover both conventional and nuclear United States forces, whether under national or NATO command. These arrangements are classified. It is not our usual practice to comment on any discussions between the United States and United Kingdom Governments about the details of operational plans.