HC Deb 13 June 1989 vol 154 cc399-400W
45. Mr. Quentin Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the consequences for the strategy of flexible response of a third zero.

48. Mr. Hague

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the consequences for the strategy of flexible response of a third zero.

54. Mr. Patrick Thompson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the consequences for the strategy of flexible response of a third zero.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I share the assessment made by NATO Heads of Government. at their recent summit that for the foreseeable future there is no alternative to the Alliance strategy of deterrence and that this strategy requires a mix of nuclear forces, including Europe-based ground-launched missiles. I therefore welcome the summit's rejection of a third zero.

78. Mr. Neil Hamilton

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the strategy of flexible response in the light of recent proposals on short-range nuclear weapons.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I share the assessment made by NATO Heads of Government at their recent summit that for the foreseeable future there is no alternative to the Alliance strategy of deterrence and that this strategy requires a mix of nuclear forces, including Europe-based ground-launched missiles. I therefore welcome the summit's rejection of a third zero.