Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his United States counterpart relating to the global protection against limited strikes programme.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe Government remain in close touch with the United States Administration on their proposal for limited ballistic missile defences.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account he has taken of the recent agreements between Russia and the United States of America to reduce stocks of nuclear weapons in the formation of his policy towards United Kingdom participation in a global protection against limited strikes system.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe United State's concept for protection against limited ballistic missile strikes is concerned not with existing deterrent forces, except in the case of accidental or unauthorised launch, but with new risks from instability and proliferation. We support this objective.