§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether currently planned developments by the United States National Security Agency at Menwith Hill are under the United Kingdom's operational control and are compatible both with the provisions of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and with the security and commercial interests of the United Kingdom and. other members of the European Union. [HL4199]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanHer Majesty's Government retain legal possession and control over sites made available for use by the United States visiting forces. Operational control of deployed forces rests with the United States. The facilities currently under construction at RAF Menwith Hill, which relate to t he US Space-Based Infra-Red System, will be operated in accordance with these principles.
6WAThe systems will provide warning of ballistic missile launches, directly contributing to the security of the UK. This does not affect the commercial interests of either the UK or other EU members. Interpretation of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty is a matter for the parties to that treaty.