§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will identify and date the United States-United Kingdom bilateral agreements made within the framework of United Kingdom-United States wartime host nation support lines of communication arrangement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe United States-United Kingdom lines of communication arrangement has been in existence since 1973 and permits the United States to establish, operate and maintain lines of communication and ancililary facilties in the United Kingdom for use under emergency conditions as part of their NATO obligations. Joint contingency plans in support of this arrangement have been drawn up. The arrangement and the details of the plans are classified.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will identify the posts, ranks and responsibilities of United Kingdom military personnel designated to liaise with the United States European command logistics co-ordinator in the United Kingdom(a) in peacetime, (b) in crisis and (c) in war.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonLiaison with the United States European command logistics co-ordination centre is co-ordinated through the Ministry of Defence central staffs. Regular contacts are maintained at Major/Colonel level involving those sections within the central staffs with responsibility for wartime contingency planning.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will identify the United Kingdom civil agencies and Government Departments which liaise with the headquarters United States European command logistics co-ordinator in the United Kingdom(a) in peacetime, (b) in crisis and (c) in war;
(2) if he will identify the United Kingdom military and civilian bodies and agencies designated to develop and maintain the United States-United Kingdom wartime host nation support/lines of communication programme (a) in peacetime, (b) in crisis and (c) in war;
(3) if he will identify the United Kingdom military and Government Departments represented on the United States-United Kingdom lines of communication joint planning group.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe Government Departments which would be involved in the provision of host nation support to United States forces and from civil resources in time of crisis are as follows:
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
- Her Majesty's Customs and Excise
- Ministry of Defence
- Department of Employment
- Department of Energy
- Department of the Environment
267 - Department of Health
- Home Office
- Department of Transport
- Scottish Office
- Welsh Office
Each of these Departments is represented on the United States-United Kingdom lines of communication joint planning group or its sub-committees. They also liaise direct with the headquarters, United States European command logistics co-ordination centre in the United Kingdom as necessary, although co-ordination is maintained by the Ministry of Defence central staffs.
A number of civil agencies are also consulted, as necessary, in drawing up the joint contingency plans. This is invariably managed through, or on their behalf by, the relevant Government Department.