§ Mr. Boyesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the United States Government about the application of the Visiting Forces Act 1952 to United States personnel based in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. StanleyNone.
§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since 1952 the Visiting Forces Act has been invoked by the United States authorities in the United Kingdom; how many of these have involved motoring offences outside United States bases in the United Kingdom; and if he will list the occasions on which these events have occurred.
§ Mr. Stanley[pursuant to his answer, 11 November 1983, c. 271]: The Visiting Forces Act 1952 does not require a visiting force to notify the Government when it is intended to exercise the rights conferred by the Act and the information is not therefore available.
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§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the operation of the Visiting Forces Act 1952; and if he is satisfied with its operation and use.
§ Mr. Stanley[pursuant to his answer, 11 November 1983, c. 271]: The arrangements governing the stationing of members of the armed forces of a NATO member state in the territory of another are set out in the agreement regarding the status of forces of parties to the north Atlantic treaty signed in London by all the members of NATO on 19 June 1951. This agreement applies to the forces of other NATO countries stationed in the United Kingdom and to United Kingdom forces in another NATO country. The terms of the agreement were set out in Cmnd. 9363.
The Visiting Forces Act 1952 includes the provisions to implement the terms of the NATO status of forces agreement to the extent necessary under United Kingdom law.
The Visiting Forces Act 1952 has operated satisfactorily for 30 years and has not been amended by any subsequent Government.