§ 40. Mr. O'Neillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what approaches he has had from the United States Government about British participation in the strategic defence initiative; and if he will make a statement.
§ 42. Mr. Phillip Oppenheimasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United Kingdom, or any other European member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, will be involved in research for the American strategic defence initiative.
§ 50. Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Defence if there are any plans for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to participate in the American strategic defence initiative.
§ Mr. LeeWe are continuing our close consultation with the United States Government. Any proposal for British Government involvement in the programme would obviously be a matter for future discussions, but we hope that British scientists might he involved. Under normal trading arrangements some British companies are already involved in preliminary studies relevant to the programme. Any proposed involvement by other NATO Governments would be a subject for discussion between the United States Government and the Government concerned.