§ 27. Lord Balnielasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards the Atlantic Alliance.
§ Mr. HattersleyI refer the right hon. Gentleman to the statement of the Government's policy towards the North Atlantic Alliance set out in the Gracious Speech.—[Vol. 870, c. 43–4.]
§ Lord BalnielDoes the hon. Gentleman recollect that the Government were elected to seek, as a first step, the removal of the American Polaris bases in Holy Loch? Have negotiations begun on that?
§ Mr. HattersleyMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence made the position absolutely clear on 9th April, 1144 when he said that the Polaris Holy Loch situation was part of a wider and longer negotiating process. I have nothing to add to the answer he gave then.
§ Mr. DalyellWill my hon. Friend confirm that our relations with the United States are a good deal less sour since the Conservative Government left office?
§ Mr. HattersleyI think that is very true and very visible.