§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Government's view of revising North Atlantic Treaty Organisation rules of engagement to allow North Atlantic Treaty organisation ships to open fire first if threatened.
§ Mr. PattieAny revision of NATO rules of engagement is a matter for collective decision by the Alliance whose purpose is defensive. As the declaration of Brussels issued at the end of the NATO Ministerial Council in December 1983 states
Our Alliance threatens no one. None of our weapons will ever be used except in response to attack.