§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in his statement that "Soviet defences are increasing and will increase further", (H.L. Deb., 21st June, col. 339), the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne was referring to Soviet anti-ballistic missile defences, and if so, whether increases in these Soviet defences are being anticipated in the light of the United States Administration's declared wish to amend the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, which currently restricts such Soviet defences and, according to reports, to enter into negotiations with the government in Moscow on amending the treaty.
§ The Earl of ArranI will write to the noble Lord.