Orders of the Day — Armed Forces (Pay)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 May 1978.

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Photo of Mr Julian Critchley Mr Julian Critchley , Aldershot 12:00, 22 May 1978

There are many alternative scenarios and one of the problems which NATO faces is that it has to plan to meet all these eventualities. Were war to break out, it would clearly be short and violent and result in the defeat of the weaker side, which is the most important point. As long as our side remains the weaker side we are clearly faced with the prospect of defeat under the circumstances I have described. It is no good holding on to one's theatre nuclear weapons for use only after we have lost the conventional battle. They have to be used first and early.