HC Deb 20 May 1981 vol 5 c97W
27. Mr. Trippier

asked the Lord Privy Seal what consultations were held at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Foreign Ministers meeting about the use of rapid deployment forces.

Sir Ian Gilmour

There were no detailed consultations on this matter. However, Foreign Ministers agreed that the Allies would continue to consult among themselves and work together with others to encourage stability and reduce the risks of crisis in the Third world. The council also noted that a number of allied countries possess, or are determined to acquire, a capability to deploy forces outside the NATO area in order to deter aggression and to respond to requests by nations for help in resisting threats to their security or independence.

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