§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any bilateral discussions have taken place between the United States and the United Kingdom Governments on the modernisation of United States tactical nuclear weapons made available to the British Army of the Rhine; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Stanley[pursuant to his reply, 21 June 1985, c. 247]: There have been no formal bilateral discussions to date in relation to the modernisation of the present generation of United States tactical nuclear weapons in service with BOAR but this issue is being considered it the context of SACEUR's report to the NATO nuclear planning group held on 26–27 March. This report dealt with the measures SACEUR considers necessary to ensure the maintenance of a survivable, responsive and effective nuclear force structure within the reduced stockpile levels decided by Ministers at Montebello in August 1983.