§ 84. Mr. DuffyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his North Atlantic Treaty Organisation country counterparts on a draft mandate for negotiations on conventional stability between the members of the Alliance and the Warsaw pact; what is the date for convening of negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the implications for United Kingdom defence expenditure.
§ Mr. Ian StewartMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions, which must remain confidential, with his NATO colleagues on a wide range of issues, including arms control. We hope that the proposed talks on conventional stability will begin this autumn. It would be premature to speculate on what the outcome of the talks might be or on the possible implications for United Kingdom defence expenditure.