§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many nuclear weapons will be withdrawn from the United Kingdom on the installation of cruise missiles; and what period is envisaged for the changeover.
§ Mr. PymAt their meeting on 12 December 1979, NATO Defence and Foreign Ministers agreed that as 572 ground-launched cruise missiles and Pershing II ballistic missile warheads were deployed in Europe, 572 other United States theatre nuclear warheads would be withdrawn. NATO's nuclear planning group is currently studying which warheads should be withdrawn from Europe as these new long range theatre nuclear forces are deployed from 1983 onwards.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has yet concluded his negotiations with United States representatives on the siting of cruise missiles in the United Kingdom; and if he will now announce the sites.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Defence, in the worst possible circumstances of a nuclear war, whether arrangements have been made for consultations with the United States of America on the use of cruise missiles in the few minutes available; and whether the United Kingdom Government will 485W have, at any stage of any nuclear confrontation, the inalienable, unqualified and unconditional right of veto over their use.
§ Mr. PymAs I made clear again in yesterday's debate, the use of United States forces of the bases concerned in the United Kingdom would be a matter for joint decision between the two Governments in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time. The bases may not be used without such a joint decision.