§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the response of the United States Government to the position paper concerning the future participation of the United States of America in European defence programmes which was tabled at the meeting held in Brussels in May 1975 at the NATO Defence Planning Committee by Eurogroup.
§ Mr. MasonI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the proposals which the Eurogroup Ministers made at my initiative, at the meeting of NATO Defence Ministers on 22nd-23rd May, for the establishment of a "Two-Way594W Street" between Europe and North America in defence equipment procurement. As stated in the communiqué issued after the meeting, Ministers, including the United States Secretary of Defence, agreed to pursue the idea
in order to promote a more cost effective use of resources and increase standardisation of weapons systems",and consultations within the Eurogroup about how it can be put into effect are proceeding.