East-West Security and Co-operation

HC Deb 17 July 1974 vol 877 cc432-3

11. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent negotiations on East-West security and co-operation and mutual arms reduction.

Mr. James Callaghan

I dealt with the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe in my answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Sproat) a few moments ago.

The Vienna negotiations will shortly go into recess until September. The discussions have proceeded steadily. In this field, too, we will continue to work with our Allies for a satisfactory conclusion.

Mr. Allaun

What is Britain doing to secure much better progress in mutual arms reduction? Since it would greatly benefit the economies of the East and the West, will my right hon. Friend consider supporting the compromise proposal made by the Eastern European countries recently that there should be proportionate reductions in arms, starting next year?

Mr. Callaghan

What the Warsaw Pact countries proposed was that there should be reductions by equal percentages. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation members have taken the view that these reductions should in the first place be confined to the Soviet Union and American forces, and that they should then be followed by further reductions, involving other members. This is a technical question and it is not one on which I would want to depart from our present policy.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the Soviet Union has been dragging its feet in these negotiations while building up its forces in Eastern Europe to an unprecedented level?

Mr. Callaghan

No, Sir; it is not my impression that the Soviet Union has been dragging its feet. It is perhaps true that it has put more emphasis on concluding the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. These questions of multilateral disarmament are extremely complicated. I believe that there is a genuine desire to examine them on their merits. Everyone knows that it is our desire to lessen the burden on the backs of our people, and I hope that it is the desire of other countries, too.