§ Mr. Sackvilleasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has yet completed negotiating with the United States Government to implement the King's Bay missile processing agreement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PattieSince my predecessor announced the general terms of the agreement on 9 September 1982, we have had a series of discussions with the United States on its implementation and on the United Kingdom cost contribution. The principles for determining the latter were formally agreed last month in an amendment to the classified minutes accompanying the Polaris sales agreement. The United Kingdom contribution will be made up of three basic elements
- (a) a pro rata share of the capital cost of the jointly used facilities at King's bay;
- (b) payment for additional facilities required as a result of the agreement;
- (c) payment for operations costs related to the United Kingdom work load.
Our overall contribution will be much as we anticipated at the time of the September 1982 announcement.