HL Deb 20 February 1997 vol 578 cc59-60WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps NATO is taking to ensure that the governments of central and eastern European countries which have applied to join NATO are not being subjected to misleading commercial or other pressures to purchase weapon systems, whether used or new, which could result in arms races if and when their applications to join NATO are not accepted by the governments or parliaments of NATO's existing members.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

NATO has not set equipment requirements in the context of enlargement. It is for the countries concerned to decide what equipment their armed forces need.