HC Deb 26 March 1985 vol 76 c180W
19. Sir William van Straubenzee

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the disarmament negotiations opening in Geneva, he will consider postponing the further deployment of cruise missiles.

Mr. Stanley

No. We have, however, always made it clear that NATO's deployment, which is planned to be completed over a five year period, can be halted, modified or revised at any time if results in arms control negotiations warrant it. To halt our own deployment of intermediate nuclear forces unilaterally would perpetuate the very substantial superiority of the Soviet Union in this area and remove any incentive on it to negotiate reductions.