HC Deb 24 November 1981 vol 13 c327W
Mr. McMahon

asked the Prime Minister, if, as a response to President Reagan's proposal to limit nuclear weapons in Europe, Her Majesty's Government will negotiate with the Government of the United States of America with the aim of securing the closure of the United States Polaris submarine base in Holy Loch.

The Prime Minister

No. President Reagan's proposals on long range theatre nuclear weapons in Europe, involving the zero option, do not relate to Poseidon strategic missiles deployed in United States Polaris submarines or to equivalent Russian submarine-launched systems. These weapons would be covered by President Reagan's second proposal for talks on reductions in strategic weapons. Any unilateral action in advance of balanced and verifiable agreements to achieve such aims would serve only to undermine the collective security of the Alliance on which our peace and freedom depends.

Forward to