§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to which countries are proposing to increase their military spending in 1988–89 by the greatest percentage (i) in real terms and (ii) in absolute terms in(a) the developed world and (b) the Third world.
§ Mr. MellorThis information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards proposals that the United States of America and its Western allies should seek a 215W pledge by developing countries to cut military spending as part of a consensus on disarmament at the special session of the United Nations General Assembly; what account is proposed to be taken in seeking such a pledge of the projected level of arms exports by Western developed countries in the coming years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorWe are not aware of any specific proposals for developing countries to pledge a cut in their military spending, but believe that all states should be encouraged to undertake measures of arms control consistent with their security interests. Arms control is not the exclusive preserve of the superpowers. We believe this approach is consistent with our policy of meeting the legitimate defence interests of certain countries in accordance with their right to self defence as embodied in article 51 of the United Nations charter.