HC Deb 14 March 1988 vol 129 c418W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there are any categories of nuclear weapons in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation which cannot be subject to total elimination in disarmament negotiations: and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

The recent NATO summit on 2–3 March confirmed that for the foreseeable future there is no alternative to the Alliance strategy of deterrence based upon an appropriate mix of adequate and effective nuclear and conventional forces, which will continue to be kept up to date where necessary. NATO's immediate arms control priorities are for 50 per cent. cuts in the strategic offensive weapons of the United States and Soviet Union, the conclusion of a global and verifiable chemical weapons ban, and the elimination of the conventional imbalance between NATO and the Warsaw pact in Europe.