HC Deb 11 April 1989 vol 150 cc506-7W
19. Mr. Evennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the implications for United Kingdom forces levels in western Europe of progress being made at the conventional force limitation negotiations in Vienna.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The negotiations on conventional armed forces in Europe opened in Vienna on 6 March. It is therefore too early to say what will be the implications for our armed forces of any reductions which may be agreed.

42. Mr. Paice

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much more in real terms his Department has spent on conventional defences since 1978–79.

55. Mr. Carrington

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much more in real terms his Department has spent on conventional forces since 1978–79.

Mr. Younger

I refer my hon. Friends to the answer given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Boswell (Mr. Tredinnick).

Mr. Carttiss

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he now intends responding to Mr. Gorbachev's announcement of a unilateral cut in conventional forces.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

We welcome the announced reductions, responding to NATO's long-standing concerns. If implemented, they will be a major step towards removing conventional imbalances in Europe. However, significant imbalances will still remain, and we shall need to maintain our capability to deter aggression while pursuing our goal of conventional stability.