HC Deb 21 March 1978 vol 946 cc1303-5
Mr. Ioan Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what action is proposed to prevent further acceleration of the arms race and the development of new weapons.

Mr. Mulley

Negotiations continue at the United Nations and elsewhere in pursuit of these aims; our own proposals for action in this field are set out in our draft programme of action for the United Nations Special Session on Disarmament.

Mr. Evans

In the SALT talks, will my right hon. Friend seek to get international agreement to prevent the manufacture of the Soviet SS20 and the American neutron bomb, as a step towards a peaceful situation in the future? Does he realise that with an international expenditure of $276,000 million on arms when there are great needs in the underdeveloped countries of the world, the cause of peace would be best served by reducing the arms race and not accelerating it?

Mr. Mulley

I think that we can all agree with my hon. Friend's concluding sentiments. We should all wish to see a great reduction of armaments on both sides.

Mr. Litterick

That is why my right hon. Friend is increasing them.

Mr. Mulley

As to the first part of the supplementary question of my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdare (Mr. Evans), we are not ourselves directly involved in the SALT talks, but neither the Soviet SS20 nor the so-called neutron bomb, being a theatre weapon, is involved in those talks.

Mr. Cormack

When the right hon. Gentleman discusses the question of arms expenditure, will he please bear in mind that for every rouble the Russians spend on arms, 80 kopecks go on weapons and 20 kopecks go to soldiers, whereas in the Western democracies about 83 per cent. of arms expenditure goes in pay and only about 17 per cent. goes in arms and research?

Mr. Mulley

Without wishing to endorse those exact figures, I think that it is the case that a higher proportion of Soviet expenditure goes on weaponry, because on our side we pay a greater amount to the manpower involved.

Mr. James Lamond

Following the proposals outlined in the excellent draft submitted by our Government for consideration at the United Nations Special Session on Disarmament, would it not be a good idea for my right hon. Friend to suggest at the NATO conference next month that the decision about the manufacture and deployment of the neutron bomb should be postponed until at least the United Nations Special Session has concluded?

Mr. Mulley

I am not sure whether the question of the production and deployment of the enhanced radiation warhead will or will not be on the next agenda for Ministers' meetings, but this is quite a separate issue from the wider issues, although, of course, the ERW should be seen in the context of the total arms picture. I do not think that it would be appropriate for that to be taken at the United Nations Special Session.