HC Deb 11 November 1980 vol 992 cc153-4W
Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the treaties, agreements, memoranda, letters, minutes or any other documents which have been exchanged or submitted by either the United Kingdom or the United States Government providing the terms under which the United States forces are stationed in the United Kingdom; how many of these documents have been presented to Parliament; and how many have been placed in the Library.

Mr. Pym

I shall publish the information in theOfficial Report as soon as possible.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the total number of bases occupied in whole or part, for whatever purpose, or maintained for standby or any other purpose but not manned or intermittently manned by the United States forces in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Pym

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the replies I gave to his questions on 18 June, 7 July and 8 August 1980. [Vol. 986, c.587–88; Vol. 988, c. 54–55; and Vol. 990, c. 481]. In addition to the United States bases listed in these replies, there are 10 airfields currently occupied by the Royal Air Force which would be shared with the United States Air Force in times of tension or war. These co-located operating bases are as follows: Abingdon, Benson, Boscombe Down, Brize Norton, Coltishall, Finningley, Leeming, Odiham, Waddington and Wittering.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what supervision by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate is undertaken of the nuclear arms stored in the United Kingdom by the United States of America; how often installations are inspected; and whether prohibition and improvement notices are served, as necessary, on the United States personnel.

Mr. Pym

None; the arrangements for the storage of all nuclear weapons in the United Kingdom are my responsibility. All weapons are stored in accordance with the most stringent safety criteria, on which I am advised by an independent committee, and which are kept under review. I am satisfied with these arrangements.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many U2 planes of the United States Airforce are stationed in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Pym

There is usually one U2 aircraft of the United States Air Force operating from a United States Air Force base in the United Kingdom. This is, of course, with the full agreement of Her Majesty's Government.