HC Deb 05 June 1990 vol 173 c429W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy that no relevant equipment be moved out of the area of application of the proposed treaty on conventional forces in Europe before such a treaty comes into effect in order to(a) deploy the equipment elsewhere or (b) sell the equipment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

Pre-emptive withdrawal from the area of application of the proposed CFE treaty of equipment of categories likely to be limited under it can undermine the treaty's objectives. We would be seriously concerned at any such redeployment especially where the intention appeared to be to hold the equipment just outside the area of application of the treaty.