HC Deb 04 December 1989 vol 163 cc61-2W
Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has had any discussions with other members of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation regarding possible British troop reductions in the Federal Republic of Germany, following an agreement on the reduction of conventional forces in Europe.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

My right hon. Friend has frequent discussions with his NATO counterparts on a wide range of arms control issues. The NATO proposals on manpower at the negotiations on conventional forces in Europe are limited to forces stationed by the United States and the Soviet Union in Europe.

Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he has had any discussions with representatives of the Netherlands Government regarding the creation of a multinational North Atlantic Treaty Organisation maritime patrol airforce in the north Atlantic; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what is his policy towards the creation of a multinational North Atlantic Treaty Organisation maritime patrol airforce in the north Atlantic: and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

No. I am not aware of any proposals to create such a force.

Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards co-operation with other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries regarding the use of flight simulators; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

It is our policy to co-operate with other NATO countries in making most cost-effective use of available flight simulators. For example, the RAF is currently hiring time on equipment owned by the United States and Spanish air forces, which simulates the Harrier GR5, while German forces are trained on simulators belonging to the Royal Navy.

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