Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, in the light of the uncertainties, counting problems and difficulties in reaching reliable figures for Warsaw pact 285W forces and military capabilities, as set out on page 56 of the 1988 Statement on the Defence Estimates, he will make it his policy to instruct Ministers and spokespeople for his Department to ensure such qualifying statements are included in all speeches made or information materials produced on behalf of his Department when addressing the question of the East-West military balance.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonAs the essay on the conventional balance on pages 56 to 59 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1988" (Cm. 344–I) makes clear, although there is scope for assessments to differ in detail, the estimates produced by the Ministry of Defence and by the most reputable independent bodies all show broadly the same picture of massive Warsaw pact numerical superiority in conventional ground and air forces. This central point has been made by successive Governments, and needs no qualification.