HL Deb 19 June 1997 vol 580 cc131-2WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in the context of the enlargement of NATO, the sale of new weapons to applicant countries will be discussed among the NATO membership, so as to inhibit arms firms from placing undue commercial pressures on those countries.

Lord Whitty

While we expect new members of NATO to participate in the force planning process of the Alliance, decisions on how equipment requirements are met will remain a matter for each country. Decisions on procurement of particular equipment form no part of the criteria against which applications for NATO membership are judged.