HL Deb 01 May 1985 vol 463 cc238-9

2.52 p.m.

Lord Kennet

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what conclusions were reached at the meeting of WEU Defence and Foreign Ministers on 22nd April about the invitation from the USA to join in research under their strategic defence initiative.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)

My Lords, the conclusions of the Bonn Meeting of WEU Foreign and Defence Ministers on 22nd and 23rd April are summarised in the communique, a copy of which is being placed in the Library of the House.

Lord Kennet

My Lords, first can the noble Baroness confirm to this House that that ministerial meeting adopted the Reagan-Thatcher four points as a basis for a joint response to the United States invitation to take part in research into ballistic missile defence? Secondly, can she tell us what NATO arrangements are being made to get on with finding the answers to the most pertinent questions asked by the Foreign Secretary in his important speech of 10th March?

Baroness Young

My Lords, in answer to the noble Lord's first supplementary question, the United Kingdom position remains as set out in the four points agreed by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister and President Reagan at Camp David in December. On the communique itself, it makes it clear that Ministers agreed to continue their collective consideration of the United States invitation to participate in the SDI research programme in order to achieve as far as possible a co-ordinated reaction to it. But they underline the importance in that context of continuing bilateral consultations with their partners in the Atlantic Alliance.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, many of the leaders of NATO countries have supported the superb comments of the British Foreign Secretary in his detailed analysis of star wars. He warned and encouraged us at one and the same time that we should be very careful to see that this research would in no way be dangerous. Does the noble Baroness agree that if we could find a system to verify disarmament, that would be much to be preferred for the security of mankind to any system of star wars?

Baroness Young

My Lords, the WEU, the subject of the Question, is a useful forum for an exchange of views, and it is helpful for us to hear the views of our European partners. But the major forum for substantive discussion and consultation on security issues must remain the Alliance.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, following the Camp David four points of agreement, can the noble Baroness say whether there have been further consultations between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Administration on this question? Further, does she agree that that matter is of focal importance and will continue to be so over the next 10 or 20 years?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I understand the point that the noble Lord is making about the importance of this. As he will know, we understand, too, the urgency with which the Americans wish the allies to respond to their invitation on research. But as they have now made clear, there is no longer a 60-day ultimatum.

Lord Mayhew

My Lords, do we understand from the first Answer of the noble Baroness that the European Governments are continuing to try to reach a collective view on the strategic defence initiative and that when they do so it will be published?

Baroness Young

My Lords, it is too early to say what co-ordination of European reactions to this may be possible. The WEU members first need to develop a dialogue with the United States in order to establish a factual basis on which participation in the research programme might be possible. Then there can be discussion among the European countries to see how co-ordination might be developed. The noble Lord would not expect me to comment on his last point which is a hypothetical question.

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