HC Deb 25 June 1969 vol 785 cc263-4W
44. Mr. Norwood

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will institute an inquiry into the unauthorised flight of a C130 United States Air Force plane from Mildenhall; and if he will include in the terms of reference the general question of flights of United States service aircraft over this country.

Mr. John Morris

As I explained in the debate on Adjournment on 12th June, the United States Air Force has appointed its own board of inquiry into the unauthorised flight of an American C130 Hercules aircraft from Mildenhall Airbase on 23rd May last. We shall be fully informed by the United States authorities of the outcome of this inquiry.

As I also explained in that debate, it would be altogether mistaken to conclude from this incident that anything remotely comparable could have occurred with an aircraft possessing a nuclear potentiality.

Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if, following the theft of a military aeroplane from Mildenhall United States Airbase by an American Air Force sergeant, he will hold an inquiry into the need for United States nuclear air bases in Great Britain and into the question of the danger of nuclear war by accident, miscalculation or an irrational individual act;

(2) if he will take steps to ensure that an incident similar to that occurring at Mildenhall United States Airbase, when a military transport aeroplane was stolen by an American Air Force sergeant, does not take place with an aeroplane loaded with nuclear weapons.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold an independent inquiry into the circumstances in which Sergeant Paul Meyer made an unauthorised flight out of the United States base at Mildenhall in order to ascertain the extent of the risks involved in the presence of United States nuclear bases in the United Kingdom.

Mr. John Morris

I would refer my hon. Friends to the Answer I have given earlier this afternoon to a question from the hon. Member for Norwich, South (Mr. Norwood).

Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what safeguards exist or are proposed to prevent the danger of nuclear war by accident, miscalculation or an irrational individual act.

Mr. John Morris

As I explained in the debate on the Adjournment on 12th June, very elaborate procedures are applied to ensure that there is no possibility of the unauthorised use of nuclear weapons. It would not be in the public interest to describe these procedures in detail.—[Vol. 784; cols. 2073–82.]