HC Deb 25 June 1980 vol 987 c195W
Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether United Kingdom military personnel will have control of a physical and effective blocking device which will prevent the use of cruise missiles on sites in the United Kingom until authorisation for their use has been given by Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Pym

I explained to the House on 17 June—[Vol. 986, c. 1353]—that the ground-launched cruise missiles, which will be owned and operated by the United States, do not involve a dual key system. However, as I have already made clear, the use of the bases concerned in the United Kingdom in an emergency will be a matter for joint decision between the two Governments in the light of the circumstances at the time.