§ 32. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to concert a common European policy on the implications for the European part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
§ Mr. StewartIntensive consultations are taking place in the North Atlantic Council about the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. This is a matter which is naturally of the deepest concern to the European members of the Alliance and is the subject of the closest co-operation between them and the United States.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerWill the Foreign Secretary take the initiative here? This is pre-eminently a case where the United Kingdom might take the initiative to maintain European interests in the hope that the two great nuclear Powers will reach agreement.
§ Mr. StewartThere is not really a need for an initiative here. We know that these talks are going on. It has been accepted from the start that there will be consultation about them between the United States and her partners in N.A.T.O., and this consultation is proceeding.