HC Deb 04 November 1986 vol 103 cc427-8W
32. Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied that the defence of the United Kingdom would be fully safeguarded if the reductions in nuclear weapons proposed at the Reykjavik summit were all implemented.

Mr. Stanley

The Government fully endorse the bold attempt of the President of the United States to seek far-reaching arms control agreements with the Soviet Union. We have also made it clear that there is obviously a direct relation between major reductions in strategic nuclear forces and conventional forces and it is essential that the two are seen together. Such reductions must also go hand in hand with an improvement of East-West relations generally.