§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to the construction in peacetime of a physical barrier along the West German border with eastern Europe which would be impenetrable by tank assault.
404W(2) what were the annual figures for total United Kingdom exports by value for each of the mechanical and engineering economic development council sectors in each of the years 1970 to 1984, inclusive, on an overseas trade statistics basis.
§ Mr. ChannonImport and export information on the basis of the precise product coverage of each economic development committee (EDC) could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The following information represents an approximation to the coverage of eight EDCs for mechanical engineering industries. Information on this basis is not available for the years prior to 1978 or for the EDCs for diesel engines, engineering construction, and mechanical handling.
§ Mr. StanleyThis possibility has not been given detailed consideration in recent times within NATO mainly because it would be intrusive, extremely expensive and, with the conventional and nuclear weapons available to the Warsaw Pact, it would not be impenetrable.