§ Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy for reducing the overall remaining Soviet nuclear threat to Britain through negotiation; and what proposals he has for negotiations to reduce the threat(a) from non-strategic naval nuclear missiles and (b) from Soviet nuclear-capable aircraft.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe welcome the prospect of signature of a START agreement, which will be a milestone towards a safer and more stable world; this agreement will benefit the broader security of the allies. Follow-on talks on strategic arms limitation will be held between the United States and Soviet Union. Proposals concerning coverage of further systems are a matter for the two sides. Soviet aircraft in Europe are already limited by the CFE treaty.
§ Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the short-range nuclear force talks to begin.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggNATO is committed under the London declaration to talks aimed at reducing US and Soviet short-range nuclear forces in Europe. Preparations for these talks are continuing within the alliance. No date has been set for such talks to begin.