asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the recent decision of the West German Government to cut its defence costs by over £80 million next year, he will seek assurances that this will not result in any reduction in Germany's contribution towards Rhine Army support costs.

My right hon. Friend received an assurance from the Federal German Foreign Minister, Dr. Schröder, in the course of their talks on 19th November, that German budgetary problems would not affect their undertakings to Her Majesty's Government under the Offset Agreement.