HC Deb 24 July 1985 vol 83 c584W
26. Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics' research into strategic defence is being taken into consideration in current disarmament negotiations.

Mr. Luce

Yes Soviet space and Ballistic Missile defence programmes are being fully taken into account at the negotiations in Geneva on nuclear and space arms. As my right hon. Friend, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr. J. Stanley) told my hon. Friend the Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) on 11 July, Soviet activities in this field are extensive and long established.