§ Q16. Mr. Lathamasked the Prime Minister how many representations she has received in recent weeks in letters from the general public regarding unilateral nuclear disarmament by the United Kingdom, coupled with requests that the United Kingdom should leave tie North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and what has been the general tenor of her replies.
§ The Prime MinisterIn the past month I have received only a handful of letters which have called on the United Kingdom both to disarm unilaterally and to withdraw from NATO. I have, however, received several hundred letters from members of the public on the whole range of arms control and disarmament issues. The replies naturally address the particular concerns of the writer, but they also emphasise the Government's basic policy in this field: 57W namely, a commitment to maintain peace and security through support for NATO and its policy of deterrence, and a commitment to work unceasingly for reductions through balanced and verifiable arms control agreements.