ABSTRACT
The basic policy case for Britain’s continuing to contribute to NATO as an independent strategic nuclear force was explained by the Secretary of State for Defence on 24 January 1980 to the House of Commons, which after debate backed the Government’s policy by 308 votes to 52. A further account was given in paragraphs 201–204 of the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1980 (Cmnd 7826–1). The principal features are set out below.
