East-West Relations

HC Deb 18 February 1981 vol 999 cc261-2

4. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations he is making to President Reagan and General Haig regarding their statement on East-West relations and arms increases, so far as it affects the position of the United Kingdom.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Peter Blaker)

None, Sir. The Government fully share the concern expressed by President Reagan and General Haig about the need for a strong and united Western Alliance.

Mr. Allaun

Is the Minister aware of the growing view that every time Mr. Reagan opens his mouth the world trembles and that his "get tough" policy is putting Britain in increasing danger? Will he press Mr. Reagan and General Haig to ratify the SALT II agreement, to drop their bellicose talk, and to adopt a more sensible attitude towards East-West relations?

Mr. Blaker

I believe that a robust posture by the West towards the Soviet Union is more likely to secure peace than a weak posture. President Reagan has made it clear that while he is not committed to a timetable concerning the SALT II agreement he is willing to enter into negotiations with the Russians on the basis of trying to effect a reduction in the number of nuclear weapons. We welcome that.

Mr. Sproat

On the question of arms increases, what is the current state of play of the French and Polish proposals for a European disarmament conference, currently under discussion at Madrid? Is it not extraordinary that the Soviet Union appears to be so keen on endless disarmament conferences, and so reluctant to do anything about disarmament itself?

Mr. Blaker

The French and Polish proposals are still under discussion at Madrid, but not much progress has been made in securing an agreement. As my hon. Friend knows, the French proposal—which we support—calls for mandatory and verifiable confidence-building measures up to the Urals, whereas the Polish proposals appear to call for declaratory statements in favour of peace and against war. We think that that is an odd position in the light of the recent Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Mr. James Lamond

Does the Minister recall the special session of the United Nations on disarmament, and the brave words and solemn pledges given by the United Kingdom Government? Does he feel that this Government are bound in any way by those pledges? If so, how does he reconcile those promises with the boasts of the Secretary of State for Defence from the Dispatch Box yesterday that defence spending would be increased by 8 per cent, this year and next year? How does he reconcile those promises with the words uttered both in the United States and in Britain against the Soviet Union?

Mr. Blaker

I am not sure that the hon. Gentleman has correctly quoted my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. Perhaps he could verify that. We continue to favour arms control and disarmament. We are taking part in negotiations in a number of forums. We do not believe that it helps to disarm unilaterally before arms control negotiations take place.