HC Deb 24 October 1989 vol 158 c432W
48. Mr. Franks

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has any evidence that the Soviet Union is reducing its naval capability.

90. Mr. Hayward

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has any evidence that the Soviet Union is reducing its naval capability.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

There is no evidence to suggest that the Soviet Union is reducing its naval capability. Despite the announced intention to cut Soviet military spending, the pace of modernisation in the Soviet Navy continues unabated in all the key areas of capability.