§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards dismantling and storing battle tanks as part of conventional force reductions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonAs regards dismantling, I refer the hon. Member to paragraph 17 of the declaration of the heads of state and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Brussels, 29 to 30 May 1989, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. This proposes that all equipment withdrawn under a CFE agreement should be destroyed. In addition, the Alliance proposals make provision for certain assets to be held in store. Detailed provisions on how both these aspects should be carried out have yet to be tabled.