§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the change of control to the US Army intelligence and security command at Menwith Hill station falls within the remit of the terms of the War Office/US air force agreement of 11 December 1951. [40874]
§ Mr. SoamesIt is not our practice to comment on the confidential arrangements between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States of America concerning the use of Menwith Hill station by United States forces. While Her Majesty's Government retain legal possession of the Menwith Hill site and control over the use that is made of its facilities, it is for the United States Department of Defense to decide the personnel assignment arrangements required to meet the operational objectives of the station.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if there is any intention to use American security police in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence police at Menwith Hill station to secure this base. [40875]
§ Mr. SoamesNo.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what legal basis the National Security Agency of America is operating and controlling the Menwith Hill station base. [40876]
§ Mr. SoamesHer Majesty's Government has made the site available for the use of forces of the United States of America by arrangements which are appropriate to the comity which exists between the two allied powers for their mutual defence and defence of their allies.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the National Security Agency of America operates at RAF Mildenhall, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Feltwell and RAF Molesworth. [40877]
§ Mr. SoamesHer Majesty's Government have made these sites available for the use of forces of the United States of America. It is not our policy to comment in further detail on operational matters.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the commanding officers or heads of establishment at RAF Lakenheath; RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Molesworth. [40879]
§ Mr. SoamesHer Majesty's Government have made these sites available for the use of United States forces. the names of the United States commanding officers at these bases are as follows: 421W
- RAF Lakenheath: Colonel D.F. MacGhee, United States air force
- RAF Mildenhall: Colonel J.W. Morehouse, United States air force
- RAF Molesworth: Lieutenant Colonel G.B. Evans, United States air force.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the terms of the administrative arrangements between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States of America for the base at Menwith Hill station. [40880]
§ Mr. SoamesThe site at Menwith Hill has been made available to the United States visiting forces and their civilian component in accordance with the agreement regarding the status of forces of parties to the North Atlantic treaty of 1951 and other arrangements which are appropriate to the relationship which exists between the United Kingdom and the United States for the purposes of our common defence.