§ 30. Mr. Hattersleyasked the Minister of State for Defence what analyses are now being made in his Department of the British contribution to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in preparation for negotiations on the mutual and balanced reduction of forces in Europe.
§ Lord BalnielThe Ministry of Defence is playing an active and constructive part in NATO studies of the military aspects of mutual and balanced force reductions.
§ Mr. HattersleyWill the right hon. Gentleman confirm that that answer means categorically that Her Majesty's Government are enthusiastic about genuine mutual balanced force reduction talks, hope to see some arms limitation and control in Europe, and are prepared to play their part in making the necessary concessions that that involves?
§ Lord BalnielYes, I can confirm that. The Government are taking a leading part in the preparatory work for these talks.
§ Mr. ChurchillIs my right hon. Friend aware of the notable lack of success which the Government of the Chinese People's Republic have had in trying to negotiate similar arrangements with the Soviet Government in recent months? Will he bear that in mind?
§ Lord BalnielI will certainly bear it in mind, but it will not lessen our determination to make a success of these talks if they can be begun.
§ Mr. Frank AllaunWill Her Majesty's Government stress that without such mutual force reductions the value of a security conference is very limited? Will the right hon. Gentleman try to get these talks started in January immediately after the American and German elections and to include the question of force reductions in the agenda?
§ Lord BalnielIf the security of Western Europe can be preserved by a lower level of forces, we, like all other Western European Governments, will be delighted. Negotiations have not yet begun, but they will begin as soon as they can be arranged.