§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conditions he considers are required to accept the Soviet Union proposal of a freeze on naval forces in the Mediterranean from 1 July; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorWe cannot support this Soviet proposal. A freeze on naval forces would constrain NATO's ability to reinforce Europe by sea in times of crisis, on which our defensive strategy depends, without significantly affecting the Warsaw pact's military capability.