HL Deb 09 October 1989 vol 511 cc129-30WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To what extent governments are bound by their acceptance of the Comprehensive Concept, and the Declaration of the Heads of State and Government which were adopted at the North Atlantic Council in Brussels on 29th-30th May 1989.

The Minister of state, department of Trade and Industry (Lord Trefgarne)

The comprehensive concept and the Declaration of the Heads of State and Government are clearly not legally binding documents. But they are substantive and agreed state of Allied objectives and policy that have adopted by the Heads of State and Government of all 16 NATO nation, to which we attach great weight.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, recalling the Prime Minister's four points agreed with President Reagan, they have discussed with the present US Administration its intention, repeated in recent months by Vice-President Quayle, to begin the deployment of a missile defence system as soon as one is ready, and if so what opinion have they expressed on the compatibility of such deployment with the recently adopted Comprehensive Concept.

Lord Trefgarne

We hold regular discussions with the Americans on a wide range of security and arms control issues, including matters relating to the Strategic Defence Initiative and to the Comprehensive Concept. But there has been no discussion of the compatibility of SDI with the Comprehensive Concept, nor any need for such a discussion.