§ 20. Mr. Parkasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made towards securing an international agreement to establish a nuclear-free zone in Central Europe.
§ Mr. M. StewartHer Majesty's Government are always willing to give close and careful consideration to any proposals that would help to reduce tension in Central Europe provided that they fulfil the essential conditions which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has frequently stated. While there is no indication that these conditions could at present be met, I hope to look at the whole range of European security problems in my talks with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Foreign Ministers next week.
§ Mr. ParkI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but does he agree that proposals for a nuclear-free zone in Central Europe represent a more constructive approach to the problem than plans for the creation of new nuclear organisations or alliances, and will he bear in mind that many of us are becoming a little impatient at the way in which the Federal German Government appear to be obstructing almost to the point of paralysis any constructive initiatives for a peaceful settlement of the Central European situation?
§ Mr. StewartMy hon. Friend will agree that progress in this matter is something which must be achieved between our allies and ourselves, and it was for that reason that I mentioned my talks with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Foreign Ministers next week.
§ Mr. BlakerWill the right hon. Gentleman agree that the Government's proposals for an A.N.F. are inconsistent with proposals for a nuclear-free zone in Central Europe since they involve giving the Germans access to land-based nuclear weapons in Central Europe, as opposed to the M.L.F. proposals which involved seaborne weapons?
§ Mr. StewartNo, I do not think that that is so.