§ Mr. Michieasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether Her Majesty's Government have at any time proposed to the United States Government that each of the 10 flights of cruise missiles be based at separate locations.
§ Mr. StanleyI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Caborn) on 29 October 1984, at column 854.
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what reports and representations he has received about the use of cruise missiles with conventional warheads; if he is considering a battle strategy with such weapons; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyThere is no change in NATO's strategy of deterrence based on flexible response and forward defence. In the context of that strategy the Government have been considering within NATO the setting up of collaborative feasibility studies for a conventionally armed long range stand-off missile. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement said in his answer of 29 October, at column 855, a memorandum of understanding has been agreed for this missile with the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Germany. Cruise missile technology is under examination for this missile. Studies are also being carried out on a national basis in relation to the same requirement. I am not aware of any representations received by my right hon. Friend on this matter. The reports that my Department has received relating to this requirement are classified.
§ Mr. Michieasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether a decision has been reached by NATO on the location of the European repair facility for ground-launched cruise missiles.
§ Mr. StanleyThis is a matter for the United States Government and the host nation concerned rather than the NATO Alliance as a whole.