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Atlantic Ocean

Volume 922: debated on Friday 17 December 1976

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asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the United Kingdom contribution to SACLANT's wartime task in the Eastern Atlantic.

The principal talks of SACLANT's maritime forces would be to keep open the sea lines of communication between North America and Europe which are essential for reinforcement and resupply and to support Allied Command Europe. In the early stages of tension or conflict the United Kingdom would contribute the major part of the European maritime forces in the Eastern Atlantic. Initially, operations in that area would fall largely on these forces because of their proximity to the Soviet exits from the Norwegian and Baltic Seas.