Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on changes in the level of Soviet naval activity in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonSince the end of 1985, there has been a significant reduction in the overall deployment level of Soviet naval combatants away from home fleet waters world wide. We believe, however, that in home waters the level of naval activity has remained at least constant, or indeed may have increased. The modernisation of the Soviet fleet has also continued, and its ability to conduct wartime operations has not diminished.