money earmarked for the controversial "Son of Star Wars" project should instead be spent on conflict resolution, Ministers have been told.

In a Commons debate, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon again came under pressure to state whether the Government supports missile defence, which is likely to involve the use of RAF Fylingdales and Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire.

MP Paul Flynn said the billions of dollars the U.S. has earmarked for the project could be better spent in other ways.

He said: "Would the world not be a far safer place if the star wars money were invested in conflict resolution and confidence building measures between the nations?"

He pointed out it would do nothing to stop chemical attacks.

Mr Hoon replied: "How the U.S. proposes to spend its taxpayer's dollars is obviously a matter for the U.S." He added: "I simply do not accept the argument that fanatics who are prepared to take lethal chemicals in a suitcase into public places are any less dangerous, or require us to be any less on our guard, than those who are prepared to launch ballistic missiles."

He reverted to the Government's usual stance on whether Ministers would support missile defence "in principle".

Mr Hoon said: "I have consistently made it clear that we share the U.S. concerns about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, and that we shall continue to work together to tackle the potential threat with a comprehensive strategy.

"However, it remains the case that the U.S. has not decided how it wishes to proceed with missile defence and has made no request for the use of facilities from the United Kingdom."

Last week. Prime Minister Tony Blair appeared to move a step closer to supporting the project by stating he "does not agree" with its opponents.

In a Commons exchange, Mr Blair stopped short of stating his Government would definitely back the plans.

But his comments went further than his previous statements that Britain "understands" the U.S. concerns about the threat to security from rogue states.

Updated: 08:35 Friday, February 08, 2002