HC Deb 08 September 2003 vol 410 cc53-4W
Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which military sites in the UK are leased to the US Government; when each military base was first leased; what the date for termination is in each case; and what parliamentary approval was sought for the present lease arrangements;[127141]

(2) what plans there are to lease further British military bases, or parts thereof, to the United States Government. [127144]

Mr. Ingram

As I stated in my answer to my hon. Friend on 10 July 2003,Official Report, column 940W, there are no such lease arrangements. Neither have we plans to enter into any such arrangements.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the arrangements are for the storage and possible deployment of nuclear weapons from military bases leased to the United States Government. [127143]

Mr. Ingram

The use of facilities on United Kingdom territory by the United States is a matter for joint decision by the two Governments in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time. No UK military bases are leased to the United States.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether an individual accused of trespass onto a military base in the UK leased to the United States Government will be tried by(a) US and (b) British justice;[127145]

(2) what control the UK Government can exert on activities taking place on military bases in the UK leased to the United States Government. [127142]

Mr. Ingram

No United Kingdom military bases are leased to the United States Government. Military bases are made available to the US visiting forces under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement of 1951, and other additional confidential agreements. An individual accused of trespass on to one of these bases would be subject to British justice, with any decision on prosecution being taken by UK authorities.

Activities taking place on such bases is a matter for joint decision between the UK and US Governments in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time.