HL Deb 18 May 1971 vol 319 cc212-3

2.45 p.m.

LORD KENNET

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what pressure they are putting on the Soviet Union to allow the same international inspection of the production and distribution of fissile material as is allowed in this country and the United States.]

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government naturally hope that the Government of the Soviet Union, which has been a staunch supporter of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, will offer to accept safeguards in common with the United Kingdom and the United States. However, this is a matter for the Soviet Union, and, as a nuclear weapons State, it has no obligation under the Non-Proliferation Treaty to accept safeguards.

LORD KENNET

My Lords, can the noble Marquess tell the House why this country and the United States should go beyond their obligations under the Treaty while another nuclear weapons signatory does not do so?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, as I said, we are still hoping that the Government of the Soviet Union will take the same action in this matter as the United States and ourselves. We have done so because we are anxious to preserve unanimity and, indeed, amity among the States which are parties to the Treaty. As I say, it is still our hope that the Soviet Union will take the same action as we have taken.

LORD WYNNE-JONES

My Lords, does not the noble Marquess think that it is even more urgent to bring China into this agreement, and would not the admission of China to the United Nations be an important first step?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I think that this is really another question, although it is one of great importance.

LORD KENNET

My Lords, would the Government agree that there is a difference between hope and pressure, and that when a Government have been hoping for something for four or five years it may he time to change gear and go into a phase of pressure?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

I will certainly undertake to take note of what the noble Lord has said on that point.