§ Q35. Mr. Lathamasked the Prime Minister what recent information she has received from the United States Administration about the progress of the negotiations in Geneva on theatre nuclear weapons and the likely effect of these negotiations on the deployment within the United Kingdom of ground-launched cruise missiles during 1983.
§ The Prime MinisterI have received a full account of the negotiations in Geneva on intermediate-range nuclear forces from President Reagan at the Williamsburg summit 119W at the end of May, and from Mr. Weinberger and Mr. Bush in London on 21 and 24 June. I hope to see ambassador Nitze here in London next week. Progress in the negotiations has been very slow because of Soviet intransigence. If the negotiations result in a satisfactory agreement, we and our allies wil be prepared to make any necessary changes in planned deployments of the cruise missiles and Pershing II missiles in Europe. If the zero option were to be achieved, we would, of course, be prepared to cancel deployments altogether.