HC Deb 08 July 1968 vol 768 cc33-6
41. Mr. Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation talks at Reykjavik on mutual East-West reduction of military forces in Europe.

53. Mr. Peel

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will set out the provisions of the declaration recently adopted by Foreign Ministers of countries participating in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation defence programme with regard to the basis of comparison between the forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries and the Warsaw Pact Powers and the analyses of alternative ways of achieving a balance and reduction of forces; whether the Committee of Political Advisers has agreed on these; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. M. Stewart

At Reykjavik the countries participating in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation defence programme issued a declaration on mutual and balanced force reductions. I have arranged for this to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Allaun

Why, after seven months' discussion, has no proposal been forthcoming? Why does not Britain take the initiative, and how can we know whether Russia is receptive if we do not offer any proposals?

Mr. Stewart

If my hon. Friend will study the terms of this declaration he will see that it is one that involves a response. We could then proceed to more details.

Mr. Peel

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a good deal of disagreement in many quarters as to the relative strength of the conventional forces of the two sides? Some statements say that they are almost equal, some maintain that the West is a good deal less strong than the East. Is he aware that this causes a good deal of confusion among Members of Parliament on various delegations when discussing this matter? Could we be given some information as to whether agreement is being reached on a proper comparison of forces?

Mr. Stewart

I will certainly consider whether more information could be made available.

Following is the declaration:

ANNEX TO THE COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL ON 25TH JUNE, 1968.

DECLARATION ADOPTED BY FOREIGN MINISTERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING IN THE N.A.T.O. DEFENCE PROGRAMME.

1. Meeting at Reykjavik on 24th and 25th June, 1968, the Ministers recalled the frequently expressed and strong desire of their countries to make progress in the field of disarmament and arms control.

2. Ministers recognised that the unresolved issues which still divide the European continent must be settled by peaceful means, and are convinced that the ultimate goal of a lasting, peaceful order in Europe requires an atmosphere of trust and confidence, and can only be reached by a step-by-step process. Mindful of the obvious and considerable interest of all European States in this goal, Ministers expressed their belief that measures in this field including balanced and mutual force reductions can contribute significantly to the lessening of tension and to further reducing the danger of war.

3. Ministers noted the important work undertaken within the North Atlantic Council by member Governments in examining possible proposals for such reductions pursuant to paragraph 13 of the "Report on the Future Tasks of the Alliance", approved by the Ministers in December, 1967. In particular, they have taken note of the work being done in the Committee of Political Advisers to establish bases of comparison and to analyse alternative ways of achieving a balanced reduction of forces, particularly in the central part of Europe.

4. Ministers affirmed the need for the Alliance to maintain an effective military capability, and to assure a balance of forces between N.A.T.O. and the Warsaw Pact. Since the security of the N.A.T.O. countries and the prospects for mutual force reductions would be weakened by N.A.T.O. reductions alone, Ministers affirmed the proposition that the overall military capability of N.A.T.O. should not be reduced except as part of a pattern of mutual force reductions balanced in scope and timing.

5. Accordingly, Ministers directed Permanent Representatives to continue and intensify their work in accordance with the following agreed principles:

  1. (a) mutual force reductions should be reciprocal and balanced in scope and timing;
  2. (b) mutual reductions should represent a substantial and significant step, which will serve to maintain the present degree of security at reduced cost, but should not be such as to risk destabilizing the situation in Europe;
  3. (c) mutual reductions should be consonant with the aim of creating confidence 36 in Europe generally and in the case of each party concerned;
  4. (d) to this end, any new arrangement regarding forces should be consistent with the vital security interests of all parties and capable of being carried out effectively.

6. Ministers affirmed the readiness of their Governments to explore with other interested States specific and practical steps in the arms control field.

7. In particular, Ministers agreed that it was desirable that a process leading to mutual force reductions should be initiated. To that end they decided to make all necessary preparations for discussions on this subject with the Soviet Union and other countries of Eastern Europe, and they call on them to join in this search for progress towards peace.

8. Ministers directed their Permanent Representatives to follow up on this Declaration.