The National Archives c crown copyright Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 Image Reference 1 IN II C g IL M I IL I • Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 Image Reference 1 ' f e O'lvtv' -I-I tU't 115 1 ' b fJeJS JtU r 9'6'-5 Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 Image Reference 1 0 l 1 1 c 191·D DRAFT • I TOP SECRET_f STRICTLY FOR THE PERSONAL INFORMA'rION AND USE OF •• ' Cl • WARNING 'IDA4 - CLARET PAT MU-rc tm •• 2 2 -7 This paper is to be seen only by CLARET indoctrinated personnel • COPY NO of 2-coPIES PRIME MINISTER NUCLEAR RELEASE PROCEDURES AND RELATED MATTERS This subrnission describes those uspccts of ou r nuclear procedures which you need to approve or know about as P rin1e 'linister Weapons Available 2 I attach at Annex A a note orJ the nuclear weapons in service with the Armed Forces All are assigned to NATO tl1ough ive have the ability should the need ever arise to use most of them in a national role Rel ease Procedures 3 • Any decision to autl1orise the release of British nuclear veapons would l e subject to the closest political control If possible this vould be exercised collectively by Ministers after consultation as appropriate with the President of the United States the Federal Ger1nan CbancellQr and our o vn military commanders In circwr1stances jn which this process of consultation and dis- cussion was physically impossible you wou ld have to act on behalf of the Governrnent 4 In normal circumstances control of n u clear release would be exercised by you from the Cabinet Office Briefin g Room wl1ich is equipped with special facilities for this purpose If you agree I should like to arrange for you to have a short presentation t11cre explaining tl1e facilities and procedures ' l'IIIS IS AN ACCOUNTABLE DOCUMENT and should be incl1 1ded in tl1e r1ext bi-annual muster Page 1 of 7 Pages • rio ECRET _ Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 Clu lillT Image Reference 1 CLAllliT 5 In the single def Luce I ci rct1JJ1s LH11ce that nltcl ear weapons have actttally burst on this COlLnLry a11d po iLi eul uuthority to release RAF aircraft for retaliation ca1u1ot l e obLai11cd ulo11g e itabJ isl1ed channels 1l1ich are definetl in his Directive the Air Of'f·icer· Couunanding -in-Chief RAF Strike Command hus s Landing tfel cgaL iou c1uLl1ori Ly Lo orclor nnc ear retul iation on his o m responsibility The reaso11 for tlii s exceptio11 is t11at tl1e st1rvival of the tactical bon1ber force con ouly lie ach i ved by ortfering it into the air after whicl1 its ability Lo reLalin'Le is Jin1iled i 11 Limo by its relatively short enuurancc1 rrbe iuvn ne1·t1bi Ii Ly of ulttris sub1narines mo lees it unnecessary to de egate equi rnlr1nL ilttLIIC L'iLy to the Conunandc1·-in-Chief i'lP •1 i Certain Brit ish fo1·ccs SLrjhc Co11u111u1d Njn1rods 1 u1d Lru1ce missi les and dual-capable artillery in Gc1·111i1J1y are equipped to use Arnerican-owned warheads The direct eo11truJ o t Ll1e P1·i rne Ii11is ter does not exte11d to these systems but their use is govcr11ecl by the tmclerstanclings on joint tfecision paragraph Gb lJelow i11 tltc case ol' the Nin1rods and tl1e n1ore general understanding on coHsultatiun 1 aragraph • - La11ce rind dual-capable art i J l ry • 1 I • l Consultation 7 6a in the case of There are two lcey t1nJ c1·s tan lj ug v j - J th e ·riment about the release of An1erica11 nucl ea1· wca1 ons - ____________ - - - - - - - u A general understa11di11g Lile ti the U11ited States will consult tl1e 1Jnited l i ngdorn before Llsi ng nuc lcar venpons anywhere if possible This is contair1ed i11 a11 u11de 'L 1kjng tha·L the Unitetl States would iu tl1e event of incl'easecl te11s ion 01· tl1e Lb1 ·ea t of var possjble step to cu11su1t wiLh Ht·i tui11 ar1d other al ies take every In p1·actice this undertaking l1as to he 1·cgn1·clcd as effectjve only if tin1e pcrrnits it calls for consu1tatio11 alld 110L for joint decision h A specific u nderstauding 1vJiicl1 covers all forces equipped vi th United States nucleu1· wunpo11s u11d ope i·ati11g f1·01n bases in the UD Ltecl l in12 do111 Such fo1 ces i11 •J11de uni Ls of LJ1u U11itc l States Strategic Air Co111n1un l 1 n1its ol' U J F SL1·ilc1• C1Hmnn1HI whcJn eq1 1ippPd with Atnerica11 nuclear weupons Uni Led SLnl 1 s l'o1· ·es j11 -the TJnitcd Ki n gdom l1ich are assigned or ea1·1na'r·l i eu f01· tll l 3 i Jllill II I Lo ll NA'l'O Conuuander United State Polaris a11d Poseidon sLLb111n1 1t • s i 11 Un i ted J ingllon1 terri to1·ial vnters an 1 1 rl1e u11tlerstuudi11g rcqui1·1 s a joi nt c1ecj sion bcfo1·e snch fo1•ees usP n11c1 ear 1venpu11 Pu • e 2 uf' 7 Pnges r -' - RE f Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 c1 Ji1 1' Image Reference 1 11·or sEcRr - f8 c1J1 hv ·1 On British initiative Llie arrunge1J1ents for i1np l ernenting these U11derstandi11g wel'e recently reviewed 1·evised u1ul cla 1·ifieci by Mrs Thatcl1er and Pt·esident Reaga11 i n the l ight oJ' Lite proposed deployn1e11t of cruise missiles to this countr3r Tl1ey a1·e 110 v enshrined in a secret docun1ent k110 vn as the Wright-Eagl eburger Agrecnnent This secret· agreeme11t and a note on correspo11dence between the Pre li le11 L aJJd P rime Mi11isters inclucli n g the n1ost recent letters of reafi' i 1·u1ati on of tl1 e cu1·1·e11 L undertakings are at • 1 L Llie ti1ne of revi ew of Lhc arrru1gen1e11ts tl1e Annexes Band C respectively President agreed that in the light o 1' increased pt1blic sce ticis1n as to the i 1 · eJf'iciency Britisl1 MinisLer i co11ld be 1r101·e explicit in public ulJout i l1e pl'ecise nature of the a1·raugemc11ts tlt11n the Atuericans l1atl hitherto lJeen willing to cow1teno nce Accordi11gly tvlr i 'I'l1al cl1cr ans vercd a vritten qnc st i on on the st1bject from --iJ-r Anthor1y Buclc on 12 Ma3r 1983 saying ••• Thu c'J'fcct of these arrangcrnents is Llln'L no nucleu1· weapon vould be fired or launcheu fron1 Britj s11 tcrrJ tor r vi tl1uut tl1e agreeinent of tl1e British Prirue tviinisLer The full text is it A nnex D• • 9 • • • r I Tl t ' For an inco111i11g Labour P1·irne tvli 11i sLc1· • 10 'l'he 1ru1i festo conimi trncrtt i i t o ucnre the 1·cn1oval of all An1crir· 1n nttclen1• Lias es froru tlii s country as purL of' Ll1 p1·u0ess or moving to u no1t-nuclear defence policy Clearly tiiis will 1 ili l' some Lirne I t has lJeen the practicl to l'eaffirn1 the Anglo-An1e1·icuu 11ntlet· Lundi ngs un Llie co11trol of Arueri ca11 nuclear weapo11s ir1 tl1is country 011 nnd I reconunend that tlli s uughL Lr a 0l1c1nge o·r President and Pri1ne Minister Ii • clone witliouL too Pug ' - or Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 1n11ch tlelay if 'OU u1·e 7 Pagu Image Reference 1 T_o ____ _s_ -- _c_E_kr__ j '-I cI Julli'l' Lo he assu1·ed that joi11L decision i J l appl r to AmcricaJ1 11uclear veapons while Lhey re1nai11 in thts coiu1L1· '· to Tr yon pla11 to make a11 early visit Wash i11gton yotl co1 1lu co1lf i r111 tl1e agree1ue11ts with tl1e President tJ1en Tl' not I suggest that I let Llie 1 J11 1··i cr1ns know that you are ready Lo co11firin • • Lile w1dcr tan li11gs arid sui tub 1nus iages cat1 then be prepared for you and Presiuent Reaga11 to xchangc For an All i unee Prime M instel' 10 It has been tl1e pracL·icc Lo rP 1l'fir111 Lbese 1 111derstandings on a change ut· President or Priine MinisLcr and c-Leurly tlti ougl1t to l1e done vithout t oo rnucb delay I·f you plan Lo 111akr early visit tu WusLington 3rou and he a11 could co11firn1 tlie agree111e11ts Lile 11 If not I st1ggest tl1at I let tb e 1 n1er ic u11s h11u11 that you are ready to re eon 1' i 1·111 Ll1e UH le1·standings a11d suitable messages cru1 then be prepared £or yol1 an l P1·es i dent Renga11 to exchange J 1 • • • • • 11 i lg 1 1 oJ 7 Pages TOP_ ECR Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 J • CLAllli'r Image Reference 1 - - • 12 There is also a bilateral agreement between the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic o_f Gern1any that British nuclear veapons in Germany would only be used on the basis of the agreed NATO st ategy and under the control of SACEUR The Agreement details of which are at Annex E provides that the Prime Minis ·ter will const1l t the Chancellor before authority is given for the release of Britisl1 nuclear weapons stored in West Germany We have discussed with the Gern1ans in tl1e past whether ve and they sbot1ld as a regular practice reaffirn1 the Agreement vhenever a new Prime Minister or Cl1ancellor ta lees office but they do not think that this is necessary It is ho vever jmp rtant to lceep lmowledge of this Agreernent alive in both capitals und I thin le that the1 e would be advantage in out letting the Germans kno v that you have been made aware of the Memorandum of Understanding NATO 13 Arrangements for consultation within NATO on the use of nuclear weapons by United States and United Kingdom forces are based on the guidelines agreed by the Nortl1 Atlantic Council at Athens in 1962 • The Athens guidelines foresa v tl1at tl1e Council woul l expect adequate time for consul tatioJ1 about the use of nuclear veapons in response to a full-scale attaclc by Soviet conventional forces bt1t th a t i11 tl1e event of a full-scale Soviet nuclear attack on NATO the possibilities for consultation would be extremely limited The United States and United l ingdom undertook if time permitted to consult tl1e North Atlan tic Council concerning the use of nuclear weapo11s anywl1ere in tl1e world Therefore v11ilst provision is made for poli tica1 consultation if tiine permits nuclear release could take place wi tl1out multilateral international consultation lL1 The use of British n·uclear veapons or of Bri ·tish-delivered American veapons by major NATO Comn1anders is governed by NATO consultation arrangements which are an extension of tl1e Athens guidelines Under tl1ese arrangen1ents a request by one of tl1e Major NATO Commanders for the release of nuclear weapons vould be conveyed to all n1en1ber Goverrunents nnd to the NATO Council Their views vould 1 if ti1ue pc rmi tted be conveyed to tl1e nuclear powers United States and United Kingdo1u vho vould communicate their decision to tl1e n1ajor NATO Co1nrr1ander 9 t11e nte1nber Governments and the Council Tl1e Pri1ne Minister ' s consultations vi th the President and the Federal Chancellor would be taking place in parallel Page 5 of 7Pages r ro $ECRET I CLARET Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 Image Reference 1 I I DU UB I Nl1clea1' Deputies 15 It is possible that ci1·cun1str111ces could a 'ise vhere you ntigbt not be available itrunediatcly Lo muke Llto 1H cessary decisj on on tl1e use of J1uclear weapons It has been Lhc lJl uc Lj ce j 11 the past therefore or the Prin1e lv j11ister to designate in peaccti111e up to three Ministers as his Deputies with uuLliority to act ltis behulr shoultlli euoL be available 011 Tl1e intention is tl1at after f orn1ul uppuintmeuL by the Pr i nte Minister durir1g a peri otl of rjsing tensio11 be ready Lo cove1· a l ' the li'irsL Jleput y wuulcl take post in ifhitcbalJ and 1111uvoidnhle alise11cq oi' the J r in1e 1inister The Secor11l Deputy would n1ove on tlle P1-i1ue t--1 i Jl is Lcr' s iustructions to tl1e l1eadquartc1·s of the Connnander-in-Chief Ji'J eet at North vood a11d asswne au tb ori ty i ·t' contact wjth the Prime M i11ister c111d i'irst Deputy were lust If a Third Deputy is appointed he would l'e111ain in London reau y to talce tl1e place of the First or Se con 1 Depl1ty if for a11y reason ei thcr of the1n was not available For Labour Administrutio11 During Ll1e Just I Etbour Ad111inistration the • •• Ch a rice lor of the Excheq11eI· Mr Ile 11 ey was desig11ated as tl1e First Nuclear Deput ' • and the Secretary of Stnte Tor DcJ'encc t--Ir 1ulley 11as designatecl as tl1e Second There was no Tl1ird De1Jut y holtld you conside1· desi · 0 0 • ·ng tl1e holders of tl1c· s arne appointrnents you rnay vish tu be111· in ·· at Lhis col1ld result in the Secretary of State for Defence Whitehall at a crucial moment nnd you might prefer therefore 1nokc hint the First Nuclear Deputy or J Ossibly tl1e Third so t · nut have to J eave JJondo3J If you are generally content with t11esc ur1'HllgP111ents u11tl once you l1avc clecj tled on the ntunber of deputies and who sliou I rJ he appointetl I will prepare draft minutes to the Deputies for you1· upp1·ovu l Dispersal of Central Gover1J111e11t 16 Plan s exist h i ch wot1ltl 1table li nisters to decide if they so wi sl1ed 011 the dj spersal of g r·oups hno vn as PEBD1£ gl'ottps of Ministers m1tl officials Ju ring a period uf' Le11s1011 or corrventional Har lJefore a s-trategic JL11clcar attach Each PJ UULE gt·oup 1 011 l d be u1 en1bryo central Goverllllie11t heftdetl by a sen-Lor Minister If London rere dcstr·oyed Ll1e senio1· survi·vi 11g 1-finister wouJ cl talce over the Stt rviving cenL1·t1l Gove1·1u1H •11L a1Hl a1·1·nngn111cnts hnve b Cll H1ade for hi111 to exercise control of i l1c l-'0Ja1· i - f'or·ci aL c1 if 11ei Lher yolL no1· one of tht - Nucleat· Deputies survived • Pugo o I' ' Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 7 Pagns SECl1ET J cwuu ' l' Image Reference 1 - -- - - - - TOP SECRET CLARET - 17 I will s 1brai t in due cot1rse for yot1r approval a revised list of co11tingent Ministerial appointments Lo the PEBBLE groups • not Individuals are informed in peacetime of tl1eir selection Last Resort lB There remains the question of la st resort namely tl1e procedures to be applied if this co mtry were attacl ed in circumstances where tl1e normal NATO command arrange111ents were ir1effective for ·whatever reason and all organised Government was destroyed for example by a bolt from tl1e blue nuclear attack wl1ich neither tl1e Deputies nor the PEBBLE groups survived This is not a situation easily provided for but tl1e argun1ent is that if we do not provide for it - an d sl1ould the Russians discover the fact - we do not have a deterrent which is credible in all circumstances Present instructions to our Polaris sul marine commanders are that if there have been indications of a nuc ear attack on the United Kingdom or if all Polaris and other naval broadcasts tra11s1nitted from the United Kingdom have been • silent for four hours ·then a sealed envelope held by each submarine is to be opened This envelope contains further instructions from the Commander-in-Chief Fleet vhicl1 lays down the conditi tio11s un der v-hich another sealed envelo1 e containing specific instructions from tl1e Prime Minister sl1ould be opened Mrs Thatcl1er I s orders cease ·to be operative and I should like to discuss this matter with you vi tl1 a view to obtaining your decision on what the last resort orders should be Swrunary 19 To sum up I shot1ld be gratetu l for your agree1nent that a The understandings wi tl1 the United States should be confirmed paragraphs 7-11 b We sl1ould inform t 1e Federal German Government tl1at you are aware of the understanding with tl1en1 paragrapl1 12 c You sl1ould designate up to tl1ree Ministers as your First Second • and Third Nuclear Deputies po ragrapl1 15 d I should raise vith you orally at a convenient moment the question of your last resort orders paragraph e 18 A presentation should be a i ·ranged for you in the Cal i11et Office Brief •i ng Room on tl1e facilities and proced1 tres -for the control of nuclear relea se paragraph l 1 ROBERT ARMSTRONG June 1983 CLARET • Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 Page 7 of 7 Pages Image Reference 1 • • 1·TOP • • •- SECRET ANNEX A • • BRI'l'ISII NUCLEAR FORCES r All 3 of the Services operate r1uclear delivery systems Current forces and equipment are as follows - a l1 Polaris submarines The Polaris strategic deterrent force comprises of which at least one is al vays on patrol American-manufactured rnissiles hu ve Britisl1 warheads Their The missiles are allocated to and norn1ally targeted by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe SACEUR as part of his General Strike Plan but tl1ey can be redirected before launching to targets in the National Retaliatory War Pla11 NRWP · The submarines are under the command of the United Ki11dom Canm1ander-in-Cl1ief Fleet who is tl1e b I executi11g Collllna11der' under SACEUR Royal Air Force Strilce Aircraft The United Kingdom-based Tornado and Buccaneer forces are equipped wi tl1 British nuclear weapons The Tornado are allocated to SACEUR and the Buccaneers to both SACEUR a ad SACLANT c Buccaneer and Tornado forces have alternative NRWP target Royal Air Force Germany Jaguar and Buccaneer aircraft stationed 1n Germany are equipped with Bri tisl1 nuclear veapons and are allocated to SACEUR d Royal Air Force M a ri time Aircraft Nimrod aircraft based in the United Kingdom are equipped to curry American depth bornbs They are· _ allocated SACLANT and CINCCIIAN and have only NATO roles • e Shipborne aircraft A11ti-submarine helicopters and Sea Harriers aircraft operating from suri'ace ships are armed with British nuclear depth bombs These forces c1r e allocated to SACLANT f Battlefield weapons i 11 BAOR Tl1e British army in Germany is equipped with nuclear delivery sys Lenis Lance missiles and dual-capabl e artillery whicl1 use exclt1sively Amerj_C Ln wa1 head s Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 All are allocated to SACElln Image Reference 1 '' - - • COPY NO 1 OF 2 I SJZCR ET 'l'l P P RQCF DUR AL UNDEHSTAif DI l G ' l ON 'Pill r l Ll S f F'OF USE OF UNITED STA TI NU CLEAR WEAPONS BAS Iii IN '1'111 U1 l'J'I D l J NG DOM 1 Con cert ed pro ced uce s o · Ltie two gov ern1 nen ts for reac hin g a dec isio n to resp ond to 1 Sov l et atta ck by corn mitt ing nuc lear reta liat ory forc es to tl1e aLl ack fror n the Uni ted King dom wer e agre ed in the Mur phy -De an g1· e0rn ent of Jun e 7 195 8 · Sir Oli ver Wri ght and the Hon orab le Law renc e S Eag lebu rge r hav e met in Was hing ton with tl1e obj ectl ve of rea ffir min g the bas ic pro ced ure s in the Mur phy - Dea n A1 r ee1nent and upd atin g its con tent to r efJ e ct wea pon s 111ode 1 n Ls a t 1 on and adn1 ini str ati ve cha nge s sinc e 195 8 1 2 The bas ic und er tand ing J0t wee n the Uni ted King dom and Uni t I Sta tes Gov ernr nen ts rer at·di ng Ll1e use of bas es in the Uni ted Kir ' ·· by Uni ted Sta tes for- ces r eov l les tha t sucr i use in an eme rgen c sha ll be a mat ter for jo L nt cl1 c1 s1on by the two gov ernm ents in tlie ligh t of circ ums tanc es at the tim e Thi s und e s tand ing has bee n reaf fir-m ed whe nev er the ot·r 1ce of the Uni ted Sta tes Pre side nt or Bri tish Prim e Min is tee hc 1 s cl 1r1gecl han ds and it was mos t rec ent ly reaf firm ed by Pre side nt l c a1 c111 a nd Mrs '11hatc he1 on Feb ruar y 27 198 1 1 3 Tha t und erst and ing J' V ld 1 - 3 tr1a t the Pre side nt and Prim e Min i s t e r wi 11 reac h a j o I ll t cl c ts 1 on by s p e a le 1 n g 1 e rs on a 11 y wi th each oth er bef ore cer·t a1r1 ro1·c 1 ti equ ippe d with Uni ted Sta tes nuc lear wea pon s and bu eg J 11 L lle W L Lte d Kiri gdom __ __ nuc lear wea pon s I • 4• F o r Wes t e r n re a l on to wil l ust• e s t t c e e s sf u 1 the p r o c e du re s for co1n 1nitm ent of tl1e 1e f'or·c · 111ui- t assu re t1 1e mini murn dela y • Lt 1 ' l'Cl l' S J C R E1' - --- --- • • J' r· I ' Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 • • Image Reference 1 _ T - ·- 1 __ I i L • I • T ' I _I - ' • i 'J - - ' 'J ' - • J - ' • ' 1• i• • ' c' ' ' - ' r •I la - r- - ·' ' • ' 11111 ··- '' ' - _ ·' 'J'i tJ ' SECR E 'T' 5 Specifically it j s 1r- r·c1 d LlJi 1 t L '1e President and Prin1e Minister will reach a Jotnl dc ctsion by speaking personally with eacl1 otr1er before nucl1 t1· weapons for the followj_ng systems are released fo1· t1se A Nuclear-armed ground-launched United States cruise missiles based in the United Kingdom B Nuclear-armed United States aircraft operating from the Unitect KJn rlom ' C D Nuclear armed 1nlss Lle on United States submarines j_r1 Unit1 cl K l ngdon1 territorial waters arid • United Kingdorn aJ rct at't carrying United States nuclear weapo n s 6 Deployment away f ro n t1·10 I r- bases of nucleat-armed Uni tea States ground--launc 1ed cruise rn1-ss Lles t ased in the United Kingdom will be governed by 1 1 1·t ed NA'rO procedures 7 The United States reta J11f ·tl1e rj_gr1t in accor•dance 1t1ith norn1al procedures to v1ithd1•u 11 t·r·o n tllelr Ur1ited Klngdotn bases United States weapons 1epl oyt d l 11 tl1e United I ingdom and to redeploy then1 els 1l'1h1 1t'l 'l'l l -- Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 1 S l f R E'l' Image Reference 1 - I I • · • TOP SECRET ' • 8 arrangements NATO procedures the foregoing understandin g and will notwithstanding apply ' · I ' ' I For the United Kingdom - • _ - Oliver Wright ll0ro J3r 1 tanr11c Majesty I a Ambassador For the United States ' - - - ·- - -- - u - 1L ' Lawrence S Eaglebuiger Qnder Secretary of Stat · for Political ffairs ·- 17 May 1983 1'0P SECRET -·----- I • • I Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 ' Image Reference 1 • • ANNEX C ANGIJO-Af l UlC1 N UNDJ ' 11 -i'l'i Nl J NGS ON NUClJi AR RELEASE PROCEJ lJJillS PH BS l J 'N'l - l'ILl ll lINJS TEil COl1RESPONDENCE 1 'l'he rnost recen t reuf l' il·111 atio11 Lile perso nal unde rstan dings l etw een Pir Presi tlent and Priute Jvlini Lei· ubou I cnn ultut ion on the use of 11ucl ear weup ons was given in tlic exc lltL11g e u I' Le tLei·s un 27 Febru ary 1981 bet v een P r·es i den t lleagu n 11 rul l r· r111JuLt llet· ' 1 11 1 1' 1tll Lex-Ls of Ll1eir lette rs Logc tbcr wiLh the t-le11101·n11dn111 u1· ll11du1· Lu11ding Lo which they refer are atLuc hed as appe ndice s 2 Tl1c origi nal vorsi o11 o l ' tl1c1 lc 1uo1·a J1dum of U11deI·s tandi1 1g was enclo sed with a lette r of 6 'ebrt Lury 1961 t 1·0111 Presi de11t Kenn edy to Mr t-1ac millan sumrn arisin g the vario us Lu1dcl s Lw1J i ng s in exist ence at that time Since then it l1as been the prac tjee l'ot· Ll1e Prime Li11 ister o f the day to seek reaff irma tion of t11c fc111ot•11lHluJI1 wl1e11uvc·r· Ll10 of Cic o of Pres iden t or Prime fini ster l1as chang ed hlli d 11 t11s i Ls 1·enf firm ation was so1 1ght by Sir Alec J ugl as-IIo n1e from Pres iden t Ju 11L n11 ou 20 Dec ci ul er l resi ue11t on 28 Febr1 1a1' ' l9GIJ 8 Dece1 uber 1961i at1cl vas give11 • again in Presi Je11t on 11 1 Deccn tber 1970 ' 9 ' '• • It was soug ht by 9 J fuve lllber J 970 and wn s given by tl1e Oll 1 L J'a11Ltc11·y 1975 reaff ir ua tion from Presi dellt 1 •01·ll ugui11 ougl1t by Jr lleath from 1 a - It as sottgl 1t ugu i 11 l1y l res ident Ford on given by the Llii stune day by P ces itlent Johl1 son and ott Presi de11 t Nixon or1 7 Ap1·i l 1971 u11d li lay 1971 a11d IL wa · ougl1t aguin hy t-fr v i ls on ort 1969 after Presi denL Ni xuH 1ss 1n1e l offic e 1r IIeat1 1 l ro1u Pres itlen t N'i xo11 19G3 vitS 1 i ven vil o n 1· lJy the Pr·es iclen t on 011 16 Decc111ber 197 i ru1d give11 by U11 10 July 1976 t r Callag l1ai1 soug ht a 1 lii eh wr1 g·ivor t 011 1 Septe n1ber 976 fr Calla ghan excha nged leLt1 1' ol' 1'Lial1'i1 ·maLi o11 with l1 resicl er1t Carte r on lJ lu1•c h 1977 Mrs 'rbatc her ditl s o u11 25 Jiu1c 1979 • j The lernorandu u1 Wu uiue11lied i11 • 1 1 i' Prime 1i11i sLe r anti Presi denL Jul 11 011 L u liy u11 cxc l1 w1ge of lette rs Let v ecn tl1c pt·ovi cle for join t tlecj sion J rio r to 'Lile relea se of Unite d S Lu Les 11uc I i d1' de·pth bu1nbs store d ir1 the Unite d l ingc lom for use ir1 e1ncrge11cy Jy U11i L1•tl SLute s urnd Dr i L i slJ rnarit itne aircr aft ass i g11ecl to SACLAN'r • Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 Image Reference 1 V ND UBLIC E 5 F1 1 rthe1· runcr1r ln1e11ts to tl1u I-l 111u1·a11 1Luu wux·o 1111 ule necessary following Mr Ileatl1 1 s agrceu1e11t i 11 1 JeLL 1· ul' 7 Ap r· i l 1971 to l'lresiclcnt Nixon to the use o 1 11 0 l r Lo ch by United S L11 L ' s· I' H i l u n s ulH11a1· ·j n cs on th c s 01ae l a s j s as tltci1· Polaris sistc1·-sliips l11 l1is letL01· of l1 lay 1971 Lo Ir IIeath • P 1·us il1enL Nixon conI i r111ed Lli i L Ll1u lJi1du1• -l n11dings 111 tl1P J len1orand1ur1 oulcl apply wi Lil respect Lo JJoseidon 111J111n1· i 111• - 11 i 11 Lho tts with respect to Polur·J s lli111 1t· i 11 • 11 1 s1I111c 11111nJ1er nnd 'Lo the siune ex Lelli A l'urthe r an1endr11ent Lo Llui 111t·r11ur i11du1u w 1 1na1 1e in the 1975 exchange of lcLLers between JJresitlu11L l•' ur·d t 111 'I · vilsoJJ 'l'Hi s 1u11e11cJ111ent removell u possilJl1• Hill ll igui ·Ly in e ur 1 i o 1· ve rs i u 11 j u r Lb P n11in1or unc l t1111 by s_p e ci l'yir1e tb at • ' Li11 United States fo1•eu op1 i· d i11p 1'1· 111 lurtd li 1se i n the U11iteu J ingtlont or Uu i cJ Ki ngdo1u tl r t'i Lo l·i u l 1 r I Lv1· j11 are covcreJ lJy tl1c requi1• m1•11 L -for u joint cleci s·i on ily l 11 u 11 1· i 111L' Ii 11 i tn r £t11d tl1e Pre itlcnt • _______ __ ___ Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 _ Image Reference 1 •· - ' - · ' ' 'I •' j ' ' • '- ' ' - a 't ' ' - _ -1 -' - -ir l'L 11 ' I ' · ' 'I -· ' • •' ' • '•' ' I - _ ' • _ ' I 1 1 • II - - I' 1 1j l 'J l ' '• I• •I • -· • 7 A furtl1er amendment to tl1e u1c1uorai1tlwn was made in t h e 1977 exchange of letters between President Carter ancl Mr CalJ uglln rt This ainend tnent reflected more accurately tl1e presertt position i egartling nL1clear weapons for Royal Air Force aircraft Finally at the time of the 1981 reaffirmation between Ir Reagan and Mrs Tl1atche r it wa s ug1·cecl by n1eans of side letters from Sir Robert Aru1strong to Mr lacfarlane Lhat tlte arrangeme11ts for joint decision woultl apply to the cJ·nise 111i 1 s Jle s to lle b ased in this country This · wasLreflected in the Wrigl1t-Eagleburger agree1nent 1 t'l f't • • fO SECRET Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 Image Reference 1 DOCUMENT REMOVED AND DESTROYED DOCUMENT REFERENCE DOCUMENT REFERENCE Appendix 1 to Annex C Prime Minister to US President dated 27 February 1981 • LOCATION of PM PRESIDENT CORRESPONDENCE PREM 19 607 • Signed Date 15 April 2013 Cabinet Office ·London Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 Image Reference 1 DOCUMENT REMOVED AND DESTROYED DOCUMENT REFERENCE DOCUMENT REFERENCE LOCATION of PM PRESIDENT CORRESPONDENCE ' Appendix 2 to Annex C Prime Minister to US President dated 27 February 1981 attachment - Understandings with the British on the Use of British Bases and Nuclear Weapons PREM 19 607 • Signed Date 15 April 2013 Cabinet Office London Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 Image Reference 1 DOCUMENT REMOVED AND DESTROYED • DOCUMENT REFERENCE Appendix 3 to Annex C DOCUMENT REFERENCE LOCATION of PM PRESIDENT CORRESPONDENCE US President to Prime Minister dated 27 February 1981 PREM 19 607 • Signed Date 15 April 2013 Cabinet Office London • Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 Image Reference 1 ANNF JC D • ' - ·- - ·-· ' - - - - I I I ' I I ' Hou se of Commons llans arcl Vol 42 12th l ay No 114 19 83 vlrit ten A11s1v1ers - Colum n 435 ' i I I I Cruise Missiles Mr lluck asked the Prime Minister whether she will • make a t'urther sLu tc mcnc with respect to the arrangements for joint conu-ol of cruise missiles in the event of their clepJoyrnenr in the United IGngdo1n · 1'hc l riu1c 1V1iuistcr 'fhe existing understandings betwc en Ll1i lJniLed lGngdorn and the United Stares govc ming Llle usL by Lhc United States of nuclear veapons and bases in this country lu1vc been jointly reviewed in the light of the plannc d dc ploymenc of cruise missiles Ve are satisfied thaL they a re effective The arrangements will apply to Unitc Ll Stutes cruise rnissiles based in the United l ingdon Yltetllcr on or off bases 'l'hc effect of the untlerstandings and the arrangemc nts for irnp emenling tltetn is tl1t1l no nuclcur weapon would be fired or launched l'rotn Uritish tt rritory without the ugrc cmi nt of the British Pri n e Y i11i Lt r •• Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 ' ' Image Reference 1 '1'01J SEClU 'l' ANNEXE ANGLO-GEID-lAN C0NSUL'l'A'rI0N Hll ANGillENTS ADOU'l' NUCLEAR RELEASE 1 J •1glo-German unclcrsLun lings Hhout tl1e dcployn1ent of British nuclear veapo11s 1n Ger1nany vere set out i 11 u le1nora11dum of Understanding exchanged bctwee11 Mr lleath and Chancellor Brundt on 17 Ia1'ch 1971 This Memorandum recor ls Lhe Feclu1·al C er11t11r1 Gover·n111e11L's ngr·ceineut to L11e stornge of British nuclear weapons at anc l II nt nny other locati ons in tl1e Fed •rnl ll •pu l li c of Ger1nany which 1nay be agreed vith i he nppropriate NArI'O 1ni li tary at1tl101•i ti es and ·Ll1e appropriate Ger1uan authori·Li es 2 The Me1norandwn states Lhnt tlte ttuclear vea_pons ir1 qu est i on 11 vill be subject to the release procedu1·es upplicable to nuclear weapons provided for t11e defence of the Alli 1111cc 'J'hey vil l in case of need be employed only on Ll1c basis oi Lhc agreed t ·ntcg ' of Lile Allj auee in accordru1ce vitl1 the • - 1 applicable poljtical guicleli 110s u11d 111i litary pla11s of NA 0 and under the • command of tbe Supren1e Allied Con1ruH1ld 1· E111·ope SACEUR in accordance with tl1e procedures In id dow·n by him 3 Under the terms of the lcn1orand11111 the P1·ime lfinister is obliged to consu t directly with 11 but noL to sec11re the agreement of the Federal Ger1nan Cha11cellor prior to tl1e 1·el ensc of Britj sh nuclear weapons stored in Ger1uany A hot-line hc•twenn the Cnbi net Office and the Fed era Chancel leJ'y was established i n 1971 fo1· tl1is pu1·pose 'I'he precise ter1ns of the uncler- stnnclings as regards consul Luti on pL·ior Lo 11ucleur release arc set ont i n paragraph 11 6 6 of the Me1norandw11 a s foJ lows In order to ensui·e L tu L LJi Federal Gover111nent are given an opportunit r to exprt ss tlrC ir v i l vs prior to 118 o f the Brjtish nuclear weapous stored in the l•'erJ e 1·1 1 I llPp11hl ic of Germany inclt1Lli11g vb ere tin10 and circuu1stances p1·ec J ucle procedure will be a lopL e tl - COll ll Lr1ti Oil -- TH witl1 i11 N1 'I'0 the following AC PY T I DUNDE PU 11 I 'l' J I' Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 s l CH E'l 1 Image Reference 1 I The Prime Minister of tl1e U11i ted Ki11gd om of Great Britain • and Northern Ireland and tr1e Federal Chancellor of tl1e Federal Republic of Ger1nany vill consult directly with eacl1 other prior to tl1e release of the British nuclear eapons stored in the Federal Republic of Gerntany The tecl1nical facilities reqttired for tl1is pttrpose will be established These arrange1nents are with out prejudice to the consultation procedures on the use of nttclear wearJons agreed in NATO Wl1en deciding on the release of tl1e Britisl1 nuclear weapons stored in the Federal Repltblic of Germany the Bri tisl1 Government will take into account the fact tl1at in accordance with tl1e decisions of the NA'l'O Nuclear Planning Group of 18-19 April 1968 the vie s of the Federal Government as tl1e government of a cour1try most directly affected by the employn1ent will be entitled to spec al weight 2 TOP SECRE'l' • Catalogue Reference cab 196 124 Image Reference 1