§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the terms of the United States-United Kingdom lines of communication agreement; what powers under this agreement would be made available to United States armed forces in Britain in times of emergency; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyThe United States-United Kingdom lines of communication arrangement which has been in existence since 1973 permits the United States to establish, operate and maintain lines of communication and logistic support facilities in the United Kingdom for use under emergency conditions as part of their NATO obligations. The arrangement itself is classified and cannot therefore be published. It makes no powers available to United States armed forces in the United Kingdom in times of emergency.