HC Deb 22 February 1977 vol 926 cc1205-6
7. Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what changes he proposes to make in the capability of the Armed Forces to reinforce British troops stationed on the Continent of Europe.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

The arrangements for reinforcing BAOR are kept under continual review.

Mr. Blaker

Does the Minister recall that in June and again in December last year the NATO Ministers, including the Secretary of State for Defence, reaffirmed the principle that NATO forces should be maintained and reduced only in the context of mutual and balanced force reductions? Will he confirm that that principle must apply to reinforcements of NATO as well as to those stationed on the Continent?

Mr. Brown

As my right hon. Friend has told the House on several occasions, we intend to keep to the absolute minimum the effect of those cuts in our contribution to the Alliance. I am well satisfied that our mobilisation plans will more than meet that requirement.

Mr. Alan Lee Williams

Does my hon. Friend agree that despite the massive build-up of Warsaw Pact forces on the central front, which still continues, it would be utterly damaging to the Western Alliance to give the impression that the Russians can overrun NATO at will?

Mr. Brown

I am grateful for those remarks, because I am certain that my hon. Friend appreciates that, although we accept that there is a growing threat from the Warsaw Pact powers, we do not face the Warsaw Pact alone. We are part of an Alliance which together faces the Warsaw Pact, and that is a vastly different matter from suggesting, as some Opposition Members seek to suggest, that we are standing alone against those forces.