Nuclear Planning Group (Hansard, 17 June 1976)

§ Mr. Mason

I attended all three of the NATO ministerial meetings held in Brussels between 9th and 15th June, namely, the Eurogroup, the Defence Planning Committee and the Nuclear Planning Group.

In Eurogroup, Ministers reaffirmed their belief in the importance of maintaining the strength of NATO Europe and in the need, therefore, to make the best use of the resources devoted by member countries to defence. They considered a number of proposals for increased co-operation amongst the member countries, and, in particular, endorsed a set of guidelines for collaboration in logistics for future weapon systems and equipment. Eurogroup Ministers agreed on the importance of ensuring that public opinion in their countries is made fully aware of the need for the maintenance of a strong defence as a corollary to the West's pursuit of genuine detente.

At the DPC meeting Ministers endorsed the NATO force goals for the period 1977–1982. They undertook to give their vigorous support to the programme to maximise the flexibility of forces in the central region. They noted with satisfaction the progress made on rationalization / specialisation of defence tasks and called for an expansion of activity in this area. Ministers also called for the formulation of a comprehensive proposal for the setting up of a NATO AEW system to be presented to them at their December 1976 meeting. They gave particular attention to the situation in the Mediterranean area and expressed concern at the continuing tensions prevailing throughout it.

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At the NPG, Ministers received from the US Defence Secretary his customary report on the balance of strategic nuclear forces between East and West. They continued their discussion of possible improvements to NATO's theatre nuclear forces and they were briefed about plans for the possible use of strategic and theatre nuclear forces assigned to NATO by both the United States and the United Kingdom.

I shall place copies of the final communiques in the Library.