HC Deb 10 January 1989 vol 144 cc525-6W
17. Mr. Kirkhope

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the Government's policy for the conventional stability talks.

80. Mr. Mans

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the Government's policy for the conventional stability talks.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The British Government and their NATO allies are firmly committed to the new negotiations on conventional forces in Europe which should begin in the near future in Vienna. The Alliance will seek the elimination of capabilities for surprise attack and large-scale offensive action through measures such as the establishment of equal limits on the number of key equipments, like tanks, artillery and other armoured vehicles, held by the countries of NATO and the Warsaw pact. NATO has already suggested that the number of tanks in Europe held in total by the 23 nations of NATO and the Warsaw pact should be limited to about 40,000. Even allowing for the very welcome reductions recently announced by President Gorbachev, this would require large asymmetrical cuts by the Warsaw pact on account of its remaining substantial numerical superiority.

28. Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next intends to meet the secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to discuss the Vienna talks on conventional stability.

72. Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next intends to meet the secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to discuss the Vienna talks on conventional stability.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence will next meet Dr. Woerner early this year. They are likely to discuss a wide range of defence and security matters of mutual interest, including arms control. In the meantime, officials are participating at all levels within the Alliance on preparations for the forthcoming negotiations.