Whose finger will be on the button of the American Cruise missiles planned for Britain? The Government says it has dual control, guaranteed by an agreement Churchill made with President Truman in 1952, and effective in controlling the use of American bases today.
Brass Tacks reports from the US Air Bases in Britain, whose bombing missions in a nuclear strike would be ' a matter for joint decision '. With the plan for Cruise missiles, how far can Britain continue to rely on this 30-year-old agreement? Does it mean different things on either side of the Atlantic? According to the Assistant US Air Secretary at the time, Eugene Zuckert , it never amounted to a veto on US action. ' A 1-1 tie would be construed in favour of the Americans.'
Reporter David Henshaw
Producer GERRY NORTHAM Editor COLIN ADAMS