HC Deb 28 July 1989 vol 157 c1034W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has yet decided on the future use of(a) RAF Greenham Common and (b) RAF Molesworth following the removal of missiles and associated equipment under the intermediate nuclear forces treaty.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The future of RAF Molesworth is still under consideration, although we envisage continuing to make it available to the United States authorities for military purposes. No decision has been taken about the future of RAF Greenham Common but we expect that it will continue to be designated as a standby operating base.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the timetable for removal of missiles from RAF Greenham Common under the intermediate range nuclear forces treaty; and when the first of these missiles is to be removed.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Under the terms of the Washington treaty, all of the 96 operational ground-launched cruise missiles currently based at RAF Greenham Common will have been removed and eliminated by 31 May 1991. For operational reasons, it is our policy not to reveal in advance precise dates concerning the removal programme.

Back to