§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the United States Naval ship Vega first visited Holy Loch;
(2) what is the purpose of the visits of the United States Naval ship Vega to Holy Loch.
§ Mr. StanleyI understand that the USNS Vega began visiting the Holy Loch in 1983 for routine resupply operations.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether any discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government on the introduction of facilities at Holy Loch for United States Navy strategic missile submarines armed with the Trident I (C-4) missile;
(2) whether the Government have been informed by the United States authorities of any use of facilities at Holy Loch by United States Navy strategic missile submarines armed with the Trident I (C-4) missile.
§ Mr. StanleyUnder existing arrangements, United States SSBNs capable of firing Poseidon missiles may use Holy Loch. The question of the use of Holy Loch by Trident I (C-4) armed United States SSBNs has not arisen.
642W
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government on the introduction of facilities for United States Navy attack submarines at Holy Loch.
§ Mr. StanleyUnited States Navy attack submarines have made some use of the facilities at Holy Loch for some years under existing arrangements.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what class of missile-firing submarines is supported by the visits of the United States Naval ship Vega to Holy Loch.
§ Mr. StanleyI understand that the USNS Vega supports operations conducted by all classes of submarines from the Holy Loch facility by the United States Navy.