§ 17. Mr. Temple-Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about his meeting with NATO Defence Ministers at the Defence Planning Committee on 18th and 19th May.
§ 21. Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he was satisfied with the results of the recent North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Defence Planning Committee; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MulleyThis was a highly satisfactory meeting, demonstrating the determination of the Alliance, while pursuing effective arms control and disarmament, to preserve its security in the face of the continuing arms build-up of the Warsaw Pact. Of particular importance was the constructive examination of NATO's collective defence needs for the 1980s through the long term defence programme. A report on this programme, in which the United Kingdom will play a full and positive part, is being forwarded to NATO Heads of State and Government for their meeting in Washington at the end of the month. I have placed a copy of the communiqué in the Library.