§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Defence if Her Majesty's Government will take steps to ensure that overall control of events following an accident involving United States nuclear weapons on British soil rest with the British authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThere is very close co-operation between the United Kingdom and the United States on 601W contingency planning for the highly unlikely event of an accident involving a United States nuclear weapon in this country. The roles and responsibilities of both Governments are governed by special arrangements between the two nations. It is clearly understood in these arrangements that the United Kingdom has sovereign rights over its territory and territorial waters. In addition, as in all circumstances, United States military units in the United Kingdom would be required to comply with the relevant laws of the United Kingdom.