HC Deb 17 June 1986 vol 99 cc491-2W
22. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has had any recent discussions with other Northern Atlantic Treaty Organisation Defence Ministers about President Reagan's decision to abrogate the Salt 2 treaty.

Mr. Younger

I keep in close touch with my NATO colleagues on a wide variety of issues, and we are agreed on the importance of compliance with existing treaties. The Government hope that the Soviet Union will respond constructively to United States concerns over their compliance record and that both sides will continue to observe the SALT 2 agreement.

29. Mr. Wareing

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications for United Kingdom defence policy of the decision of the United States Government to cease abiding by Salt 2.

Mr. Younger

The search for balanced and verifiable arms control agreements forms a central element of the Government's security policy, but they can only contribute to international stability if all sides have confidence that they are being complied with. We have welcomed the President's decision to dismantle two Poseidon submarines in order to stay within SALT limits now. We hope that the Soviet Union will respond constructively to United States concerns over its compliance record, and that both sides will continue to observe the agreement.