HC Deb 15 July 1980 vol 988 cc1219-21
13. Mr. Temple-Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his defence counterparts within NATO and the Western Alliance concerning the military security of the Persian Gulf area; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Pym

NATO Defence Ministers discussed the security situation in the south-west Asia area at the spring meet ing of the NATO defence planning committee. Ministers agreed that the stability of this region, and the secure supply of essential commodities from it, were of crucial importance to the West.

Mr. Temple-Morris

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that the creation of a Western Alliance rapid deployment force is vitally necessary, and should be treated as a matter of urgency, if our security in the Gulf area is to be safeguarded? Does he further agree that such a force is useless unless it has the necessary facilities with which, and in which, to operate? Is he able to tell the House anything about the progress on this urgent matter?

Mr. Pym

We are making some progress, based on what I wrote in the White Paper. The basis of the RDF is the United States forces. We have no plans to reopen any bases in that part of the world, but we would like to be able to have a greater capability and flexibility than now in support of the United States if a situation developed which required that kind of assistance. We intend to increase flexibility by stockpiling various items of equipment so that we could move more quickly, should the circumstances require it. I think that at present that extra capability is of a modest character, but at any rate I am sure that it is a move in the right direction.

Mr. McNamara

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the Powers in the Gulf States have shown a marked reluctance to allow any signficant increase in bases by the Western or NATO Powers within their area? Should not we pay more attention to them, as they feel that there would be greater stability in the area if we, the Americans and the Russians kept out, rather than dabbling our toes in their little pool.

Mr. Pym

I have a great deal of sympathy with what the hon. Gentleman has said. As I indicated in my last supplementary answer, we have at present no plans to re-establish any bases in that area. I am sure that it will be in cooperation with the countries in that area that stability can most rapidly be restored.

Mr. Churchill

Is not it a sad commentary on the Western Alliance today that eight months after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Afghan resistance fighters have very few weapons? Is my right hon. Friend aware that 80 per cent. of their weapons are Lee Enfield rifles? Furthermore, there is a critical shortage of .303 ammunition. Can my right hon. Friend say whether the Government would be willing to entertain a request from the Afghan resistance fighters for small arms weapons and anti-tank and anti-air missiles?

Mr. Pym

That is a specific question, but I can say that the whole situation in Afghanistan is under constant review with our allies. My hon. Friend says that, in his view, the response has not been altogether adequate, and that is a matter of opinion. We remain extremely concerned about the fighting which continues in that part of the world and the resistance being put up by the Afghans. We are in the closest touch with the United States, our other allies, as well as friends around the world, and are keeping the situation under the closest review.

Mr. Skinner

Is the right hon. Gentleman able to say whether the story which emerged last week—that the beef from the Western European countries has got into Afghanistan—has been properly established? Can he also say how much has arrived there?

Mr. Pym

I am afraid that I have no information on that matter, and I would require notice of that question.