§ Mr. Denzil Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Government have had any discussions within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and with the Danish authorities on the possible ending or reduction of the United Kingdom commitment to deploy to the allied forces Baltic approaches in time of tension or war; and if he will make a statement.
547W
§ Mr. StanleyThe principal United Kingdom force currently assigned to strengthening the land defences of the Baltic approaches is the United Kingdom Mobile Force (Land). Because it is a self-sufficient expeditionary force, with a large number of deployment and employment options, this force inevitably has a disproportionately high level of support units. We are therefore discussing with NATO whether this contribution represents the most effective use of these resources. We have naturally kept the Danish authorities informed. Details of the discussions are confidential but it has been stressed that the United Kingdom has no intention of making unilateral changes to its commitment to the region.