HL Deb 26 July 1976 vol 373 cc1033-4
Lord KENNET

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space is discussing a treaty about the moon, whether the United Kingdom is a party to these discussions, and whether a copy of the present working draft can be placed in the Library.

The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)

Yes, my Lords. A moon treaty has been discussed for some years by the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Her Majesty's Government are represented at the annual sessions of the main com mittee and of its sub-committee of legal experts responsible for preparing texts. The present working drafts are contained in documents issued by the United Nations Outer Space Committee, copies of which are automatically supplied to the Library as soon as they appear. Copies of the working drafts from the 1974–76 discussions are now available in consolidated form, and I have arranged to place copies in the Library.

Lord WALLACE of COSLANY

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that what the world needs, in point of fact, are peace treaties for the problems of the earth before we worry about the problems of the moon?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

Of course, my Lords, we all agree with that sentiment. On the other hand, man has landed on at least one celestial planet and may land on others—Venus, Jupiter, who knows? One hopes that he will be received with Jovial rather than Martial acclamation.

Lord AVEBURY

My Lords, will the Minister ask this committee of the United Nations to take measures that will prevent little green men from defacing the landscape of Mars by Shakespearian graffiti on the boulders?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I will take that suggestion and advisement in conjunction with one or two suggestions I have heard that little yellow men should not deface cricket pitches.

Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEY

My Lords, may I congratulate the Minister on being so full-sighted as to how his future responsibilities may be enlarged?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I would not dare to attempt to start answering such a question.