§ Mr. McMahonasked the Prime Minister what measures she intends to take in order to consolidate the principles of peaceful co-existence; what Her Majesty's Government have done to achieve this since May 1979; and what is to be done in the immediate future, despite the unfavourable turn in international relations.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government will continue to pursue a threefold policy for enhancing international security. First, we shall maintain with our Allies the capability to deter aggression. Secondly, we shall continue to try to resolve international disputes by means of negotiation, as we did in Zimbabwe. Thirdly, we shall actively pursue East-West negotiations in, among others, the fields of arms control and of security and co-operation in Europe.
We hope that other Governments will be prepared to make similar efforts. If the Helsinki Final Act were to be fully implemented by all its signatories and if the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan were to be brought to an end, it would become much easier to make progress with East-West relations generally.