§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will confirm, as implied in Lord Trefgarne's oral Answer of 11th May (HL Debs. Col. 1127) that in the event of any accident within the United Kingdom involving the nuclear or other weapons or military materials or activities of an ally, full and exclusive control remains with, and would be exercised by, the British civil or military power both within and outside any base made use of by that ally, including any part of the base which may be in United Kingdom internal waters or within the full area (i.e. out of 12 miles) of the United Kingdom Territorial Sea.
§ Lord TrefgarneThe detailed arrangements for dealing with any accident within United Kingdom sovereign territory would vary according to its nature, scale and location. In the event of a US nuclear accident in the UK the responsibilities would be governed by special arrangements providing for close co-operation between the US and UK Governments. The details of these remain classified; but I can assure the noble Lord that in no case would any limit be placed on the proper responsibilities of the relevant UK authorities. In addition, as in all circum-stances, visiting servicemen would be required to comply with the relevant laws of the United Kingdom.