TNAG-1326-FCO40-1738-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1984 — Page 189

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27.

That is the constructive approach to defence and

disarmament. That is the one which this Government has

adopted, and which we shall continue to pursue. The

contrast with the doctrinal detritus of the

Opposition's ideas could hardly be sharper or stronger.

28.

Labour's even-handed approach to the United States

and the Soviet Union suggests an attitude of mind which

would undermine and destroy the American commitment to

the defence of Europe. Simply to dismiss as nonsense

the arguments on the basis of which successive British

governments (including Labour ones) have maintained our

independent deterrent is to deny reason and ignore

history. Noone who has this country's real interests

at heart could be so wickedly irresponsible.

29. But the defence policies of the Opposition not

only ignore reality. They are also quite incompatible

with deterring aggression, as well as with the

Opposition's proclaimed desire for continued membership

of the Atlantic Alliance. NATO's policies rest on

three pillars. Deterrence, collective decision-making,

and the American commitment to the defence of Europe.

The Opposition would overturn all three.

They would

act unilaterally. They would throw out many of the

facilities which give effect to the American commitment

to our defence. They would advocate

-

and, if they did

not succeed in convincing our allies, unilaterally

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