HL Deb 12 November 1996 vol 575 cc90-1WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the United Kingdom and other West European governments abstained from the United Nations General Assembly vote in favour of the prevention of an arms race in space and whether this abstention indicates indifference to the militarisation of space in spite of the provisions of Article 1 of the Space Treaty.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The resolution tabled by Sri Lanka in 1995 reflected the view that an arms race in outer space presents an imminent danger and that existing international instruments are inadequate. We do not believe this to be the case and do not consider that the negotiation of a new agreement on this subject should be a priority for the international community. In common with EU partners, we therefore abstained in the vote on this resolution.