HC Deb 18 December 1980 vol 996 cc246-7W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Lord Privy Seal why the European Economic Community Presidency speaks on behalf of the United Kingdom in United Nations debates on disarmament and military budgets.

Sir Ian Gilmour

The Nine have agreed to consult one another in political co-operation, on all important questions of foreign policy, and, where there is agreement, it is the practice for the Presidency both at the United Nations and elsewhere to express their common views. There are, however, also occasions when the United Kingdom makes a statement of its own on disarmament questions as on other issues.