§ 48. Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the implications for arms control of the modernisation of battlefield nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonThe future shape of NATO's short-range nuclear systems following the Montebello decision in 1983 to reduce them by 1,400 warheads, has been reviewed by the Alliance. Arms control considerations will be taken carefully into account as implementation of the decision takes place. Such systems are not at present the subject of arms control negotiations. Priority is rightly being given by the United States and Soviet Union to reaching agreements on the strategic and long-range intermediate categories.