HL Deb 28 October 1986 vol 481 c706WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is now their intention, when the scope of the next negotiations on confidence-building measures is decided, To ensure that navel exercises within any 200-mile zone (whether fishery or economic exclusion zone) are included.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)

: The zone for confidence-building measures agreed for the Stockholm Conference on disarmament in Europe (CDE) is defined as "the whole of Europe as well as the adjoining sea area and air space". The agreement concluded there on 22nd September provides for the prior notifications of amphibious landings involving more than 3,000 troops, as well as the provision of information on naval ship-to-shore gunfire and other support when part of notifiable military activities.

The question of UK, and Western, policy towards the future development of conventional arms control is currently under consideration within the high level task force established by the NATO ministerial meeting in Halifax in May 1986.