§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what recent consideration has been given within NATO to the status of the United Kingdom nuclear deterrent.
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§ Mr. StanleyBritain's NATO partners have welcomed the contribution made by British nuclear forces to the overall credibility of the Alliance's deterrent capabilities and have expressed their continued support for the efforts of the United Kingdom to maintain the effectiveness of its nuclear deterrent forces. I refer the hon. Member to the communiques issued following the March 1986 and October 1986 meetings of the NATO nuclear planning group, copies of which are in the Library.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United Kingdom nuclear deterrent is covered by obligations under the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation treaty.
§ Mr. StanleyThe North Atlantic Treaty does not deal with the detail of national contributions to NATO's integrated military structure. However, those member countries who contribute to the integrated military structure have agreed that changes in their contribution to the Alliance are properly the subject of multilateral consideration within NATO.