HC Deb 21 October 1975 vol 898 cc161-2W
Mr. Russell Johnston

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the United States Government on the standardisation of weaponry within NATO.

Mr. Mason

I discussed the problems of standardisation and the need for a "Two-Way Street" between Europe and North America in defence equipment procurement fully with Dr. Schlesinger during his visit in September.

Mr. Russell Johnston

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress was made in his recent talks with the French Defence Minister on the question of the standardisation of equipment within NATO.

Mr. Mason

We had a valuable and wide-ranging discussion of ways of achieving greater standardisation by joint collaborative programmes in defence equipment and through reciprocal purchases. We also discussed the important rôle which European defence industries have to play in the production of standardised equipment for NATO.

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