§ 54. Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with the United States Government on the forthcoming arms negotiations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceWe remain in the closest touch with the United States Administration on all such issues. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is having talks with President Reagan in Washington today. My right hon. and learned Friend will be holding separate discussions with Secretary Shultz.
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§ 65. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there have been any positive developments at the mutual and balanced force reduction conference at Vienna.
§ Mr. LuceUntil there is agreement on the existing levels of Eastern forces, real progress in Vienna towards parity at lower levels of conventional forces in central Europe is not possible. Unfortunately, the East continues to reject all Western efforts to resolve this key issue. We shall, of course, study carefully the East's 14 February proposal. But at first sight it seems to amount to little more than repackaging of part of its 1983 proposals.
§ 66. Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart in preparation for the 12 March nuclear arms talks; and if he has yet indicated to the United States Government Her Majesty's Government's view on President Reagan's stategic defence initiative.
§ Mr. LuceI refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang). As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on 9 January, at column 441, the strategic defence initiative was discussed during her last meeting with President Reagan on 22 December.