Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to the inclusion of maritime confidence-building measures in the further discussions on conventional force reductions in Europe.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe mandate for the conventional forces in Europe follow-on talks (CFE1A) specifically excludes naval issues.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether those British tanks that will be removed as part of the conventional forces in Europe agreement will be sold or destroyed.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe CFE treaty provides for reductions in tank holdings required by the treaty to be by destruction or conversion to certain forms of non-military use. The possibility exists of transferring excess equipment to allies provided national limits on equipment holdings are not exceeded. No final decision on the manner of United Kingdom tank reductions has yet been taken.