HC Deb 24 May 1977 vol 932 cc391-2W
32. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals have been made by NATO for the defence of NATO shipping in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean.

Mr. Mulley

In 1972 the NATO Defence Planning Committee (DPC) authorised SACLANT to undertake contingency planning for the protection of allied merchant shipping outside the NATO area in time of tension or war. The plan awaits final DPC approval.