HC Deb 07 February 1986 vol 91 cc307-8W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department is kept informed by the United States authorities of the precise location and function of each of the 32,000 United States military personnel in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Norman Lamont

My Department is kept informed of total numbers of United States military personnel deployed in the United Kingdom, and of major changes to the numbers at particular bases associated with changes in operational deployments.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the number of United States forces in Britain has increased from 24,000 in January 1980 to approximately 32,000; what functions these 32,000 personnel perform; and if he will list their distribution base by base and facility by facility.

Mr. Norman Lamont

The increase in numbers of United States service personnel stationed in the United Kingdom since 1980 is due to a number of factors, including the build-up of the ground-launched cruise missile programme, the deployment to the United Kingdom of EF111 and TR1 aircraft, and the establishment of facilities at RAF Kemble. The overall function of these personnel is to contribute to NATO's collective defence. On the numbers stationed at individual bases and their precise functions, I refer the hon. Member to my answer to his further question of today's date.