Defence and Disarmament
25. Finally, Mr Speaker, I turn to our most precious
asset: the security of our nation. All the policies,
all the achievements, I have described are as nothing
if we lack the will and the means to defend them.
Without strong defences and the staunch determination
to stand for what we believe in, then our values for
our present life and our vision of the future lose
their meaning. That is why this Government, with our
Allies, has done so much to secure our defences at home
and overseas. Our aim is to deter attack, no more and
no less. To this end, we shall continue to do all we
can to reinforce the European pillar of the Alliance.
Working with our friends, we shall strengthen our
defences, and ensure that they are cost effective.
26. My Government will leave no stone unturned in the
search for balanced and verifiable arms control and
So
disarmament. With our Western partners, we have made
far-reaching but practical proposals in every arms
control negotiation. At Stockholm, Vienna and Geneva
it is the West which has been making the running.
far the response from the Soviet Union has not been
forthcoming. But, when the Russians do find the
political will to respond positively, to resume their
empty chair at the nuclear negotiating table, they will
find us ready and willing to talk.
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