asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has been given any indication that the three new applicants for EEC membership, Greece, Spain and Portugal, will maintain their links with NATO as NATO powers.

: Of the three new applicants for membership of the European Communities, Greece and Portugal are members of NATO, although Greece does not participate in NATO's integrated military structure at present. Spain is not a member of NATO. I am not aware of any proposed change in these arrangements arising from these countries' applications for EEC membership.