Nuclear Arms Dr. Thomas To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy for reducing the overall remaining Soviet nuclear threat to Britain through negotiation; and what proposals he has for negotiations to reduce the threat (a) from non-strategic naval nuclear missiles and (b) from Soviet nuclear-capable aircraft. Mr. Douglas Hogg We welcome the prospect of signature of a START agreement, which will be a milestone towards a safer and more stable world; this agreement will benefit the broader security of the allies. Follow-on talks on strategic arms limitation will be held between the United States and Soviet Union. Proposals concerning coverage of further systems are a matter for the two sides. Soviet aircraft in Europe are already limited by the CFE treaty. Dr. Thomas To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the short-range nuclear force talks to begin. Mr. Douglas Hogg NATO is committed under the London declaration to talks aimed at reducing US and Soviet short-range nuclear forces in Europe. Preparations for these talks are continuing within the alliance. No date has been set for such talks to begin.