§ Lord Vivianasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the new strategic realities on which a Defence Review will be based.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)The world has changed dramatically in fewer than 10 years. Since the end of the Cold War the security risks to the United Kingdom and to our Allies have changed fundamentally and we no longer face the threat of general war in Europe. New security challenges confront us, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, aggressive nationalisms, international terrorism and the impact of scientific and technological developments. The review is intended to give the Armed Forces a coherent and stable planning basis for several years ahead.