§ 12. Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the implications for United Kingdom defence policy of the result of the East German election.
§ Mr. Tom KingWe warmly welcome the holding of democratic elections in East Germany and hope that the changes there will enhance the security of all European 1027 nations. The United Kingdom will continue to maintain its commitment to NATO, which provides the best guarantee of peace and security in Europe.
§ Mr. SteinbergAs a result of the election in East Germany, does the Minister agree that it is inconceivable that Germans would nuke fellow Germans? In that respect, will he make certain that British policy is to reject the Lance and not to improve it any further?
§ Mr. KingI am not sure whether the hon. Member was in the Chamber for the earlier questions on precisely this issue. He may be totally ignorant of the fact that we had the Anglo-German summit, when we had the pleasure of welcoming Chancellor Kohl who played such a signal part in the success of the centre right in the elections in East Germany, and in which my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Chancellor reached such a clear agreement with him on these issues.