§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the new phased array radar installation at Fylingdales will have the capacity to counter strategic ballistic missiles on their elements aimed at western Europe or north America.
§ Mr. StanleyAs I said in reply to the hon. Member on 26 June at column321 the function of this radar is to provide early warning of a strategic ballistic missile attack on either the European or North American members of NATO. It does not have an anti-ballistic missile role.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 4 February, Official Report, column 121–2, and 26 June, Official Report, column 321, on what criteria it has been determined that the existing radar installations at Fylingdales are owned by the United States Government, whereas the ownership of the modernised radar systems will be shared between both Governments; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyIn accordance with the memorandum of agreement dated 15 February 1960 concerning the establishment of a ballistic missle early warning station in the United Kingdom (Cmnd. 946), the ownership of the system is shared between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government. The radar equipment is the property of the United States Government, while the land and fixed supporting facilities belong to the Ministry of Defence. No change in these arrangements is envisaged as a result of the modernisation programme.