HC Deb 10 November 1981 vol 12 cc70-1W
41. Mr. Alton

asked the secretary of State for Defence what account is taken in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation planning of the possibility of a limited nuclear war in Europe.

Mr. Blaker

NATO's strategy of flexible response is intended to deter any form of aggression. This includes seeking to convince the Soviet Union that it could not hope to gain by initiating a limited nuclear war, nor could it hope to fight such a war from a sanctuary in its own territory. NATO itself needs no convincing that neither side could hope to win a nuclear war, whether or not it was limited in character.