§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications for United Kingdom defence policy of Royal Navy involvement in the United States maritime strategy with regard to plans for the defence of the Norwegian sea.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonUnited States maritime strategy is designed to meet United States requirements. NATO as a whole is agreed on the need for forward maritime defence in the Norwegian sea to safeguard vital transatlantic and cross-channel reinforcement and resupply routes and to enhance the security of the northern flank. The Royal Navy makes a significant contribution to these tasks.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Royal Navy's policy of forward defence in the Norwegian sea.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonI refer the hon. Gentleman to paragraph 5 of the article entitled "The Forward Defence of Europe" which is to be found on pages 15 and 16 of volume 1 of the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1988.