§ Mr. Tom Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects discussions on SACEUR's proposed modernisation plans;
§ Mr. Wallaceasked the Secretary of State for Defence when Her Majesty's Government expect to take the decision on implementation of SACEUR's proposals for modernisation, as detailed in the final communiqué of the recent nuclear planning group meetings dated 31 October.
§ Mr. HeseltineAt the NATO nuclear planning group meeting in Brussels on 29–30 October 1985, my Ministerial colleagues and I discussed further the measures which SACEUR had presented at the NPG meeting in Luxembourg earlier in the year to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in Europe and to ensure the survivability and effectiveness of those that remained. These recommendations are being pursued by SACEUR in co-ordination with the nations concerned. In some areas, the need for action will not arise for some years and therefore no early decisions are required. In other areas, SACEUR's proposals for reductions and improvements do require early decisions or are already being processed. For example, NATO's atomic demolition munitions have now been completely withdrawn. No decisions affecting the modernisation of weapons systems in service with British forces have been made, but we expect to begin discussions with SACEUR next spring about a number of recommendations which he has made to improve their survivability and effectiveness in the longer term.