HC Deb 17 March 1981 vol 1 cc85-6W
32. Mr. Trotter

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what reduction he is making in the number of (a) ships, (b) aircraft and (c) marine or Army units in the forces assigned by the United Kingdom to the NATO Atlantic command, including reinforcement forces; and what forces which are not already assigned to NATO will be available to replace those withdrawn.

Mr. Speed

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 20 January, and my answers to his previous questions on 5 March.—[Vol. 997, c. 149–60; Vol. 1000, c. 178–9.] The precise numbers of other reductions are currently under consideration, but there are no plans to assign additional forces to NATO. The bulk of the United Kingdom Armed Forces are already committed to NATO and a number of programmes are in hand to improve their effectiveness.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he intends to seek to redefine the role of NATO; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Goodhart

No. NATO's role is set out in the North Atlantic Treaty. It is to deter and, if necessary, to defend the territory of any Alliance member against an attack. The Government believe that this remains the fundamental responsibility of the Alliance. At the same time the Alliance has recognised the importance to its interests of events world-wide, and is taking these into account.