U.S. AIRCRAFT IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28447, 29 November 1957, Page 15

U.S. AIRCRAFT IN BRITAIN

Commons Clash On H-Bombs LONDON, November 27. The Foreign Secretary (Mr Selwyn Lloyd) and Labour’s shadow. Cabinet Foreign Secretary, Mr Aneurin Bevan, clashed at question time in the House of Commons over United States aircraft in Britain carrying the H-bomb. Mr Bevan asked Mr Lloyd specifically whether American aircraft which took off from British bases on patrol duty were armed with nuclear bombs. Mr Lloyd replied: ."I should think that what you say is true —that these aeroplanes do carry them. It is a matter for the United States Air Command.” Mr Bevan: “Will you tell us why it is necessary that on patrol duty these bombs should be in the aeroplanes?” “Readiness” There were cheers from Government supporters and interruptions by the Opposition when the Foreign Secretary replied: “1 would have thought that if these aeroplanes were on patrol duty, denoting a state of readiness, it is absolutely right that they should be armed.” Mr F. Allaun (Labour) asked whether in the event of an emergency there would be time for a consultation. The Foreign Secretary replied that it was not just a question of consultation but a joint decision whereby the bases could not be used until the Governments decided that they should be used. Mr Lloyd said that if an aircraft carrying a nuclear weapon were to crash, there would be no danger of a nuclear explosion. German Bases The Foreign Secretary rejected a suggestion that he should propose to the N.A.T.O. conference in December that no nuclear bases should be stationed on German territory. The suggestion was made by Mr Konni Zilliacus (Labour) “in view of the announcements of the Polish, Czechoslovak and East German Governments that they will not introduce nuclear weapons into their territory, unless such weapons and bases are established in West Germany.” Mr Lloyd said: “I still believe in the power of the deterrent. I think it has prevented war during the last 10 years and think it will still.” Amid derisive shouts of “Suez” from the Opposition, he said: “The fact that it is a deterrent to both sides does not affect us because we have no intention of committing aggression. ’ ’