§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will outline his Department's policy towards restricting the European deployment of NATO tactical air-to-surface missiles to time of crisis only;
(2) what decisions have been taken regarding NATO deployment plans for tactical air-to-surface missiles;
(3) what are the deployment implications for land-based short-range nuclear weapons of the deployment of tactical air-to-surface missiles by NATO.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonWe fully support the alliance's policy of keeping nuclear forces up to date where necessary and based in Europe in peacetime. But no decisions have been taken on NATO deployment in tactical air-to-surface missiles. As for currently deployed systems, the London declaration identifies a significantly reduced role for sub-strategic systems of the shortest range, and looks forward to new negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union on the reduction of short-range nuclear forces.
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§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when a decision will be taken on the United Kingdom tactical air-to-surface missiles; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonConsideration of replacement systems for our WE 177 free-fall bombs is continuing. The House will be informed as soon as a decision is taken.