To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what authority the UK Government have given the US Government to load cruise missiles on to B-52 bombers at RAF Gloucestershire; and for what purpose. [102419]

The use by United States Visiting Forces of United Kingdom bases is a matter for joint decision by HM Government and the US Government at the appropriate time. The deployment of the B-52s to RAF Fairford was part of our continuing contingency preparations and did not represent a decision to take military action.I am withholding the information requested in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, security and international relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.