Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

HC Deb 27 November 1974 vol 882 cc423-4

9. Mr. Robin F. Cook

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had in preparation for the forthcoming review of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Mr. Ennals

Her Majesty's Government are directly and actively involved in consultations in preparation for the review conference next May of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. We are members of the special 26-nation committee which, since April this year, has been working on the arrangements for this important conference.

Mr. Cook

I am grateful for that reply. May I remind my right hon. Friend that Clause 6 of the non-proliferation treaty laid an obligation on the then nuclear Powers to take effective measures towards nuclear disarmament before the review conference? Given that the missile ceilings recently agreed by the American and Soviet Governments apparently exceed the existing numbers of missiles, and given that Britain herself has exploded a nuclear device to improve our nuclear deterrent, what effective measures towards nuclear disarmament does my right hon. Friend hope to report to the review conference in fulfilment of our obligations under Clause 6?

Mr. Ennals

That is a very big question. To take the first point, I welcome the agreement that has been reached in Vladivostock between the Soviet Union and the United States. It is most important that there should be a limitation not only on existing numbers but on the growth of missile systems. At the United Nations First Committee there are, in effect, a large number of resolutions, in which we have played an active part, which affect non-proliferation and are of great importance. My hon. Friend mentioned the British test. That was an underground test and was not in any way in conflict with the limited test ban treaty.

Mr. Alan Lee Williams

Because of the importance of this subject, might it not be helpful to the House if the Foreign Secretary stated the Government's policy in respect of the non-proliferation treaty, either as a statement or in a debate on foreign affairs, particularly in view of the dangers not only of proliferation between States but the possibility—remote, but still there—of terrorist organisations and similar bodies achieving nuclear capability?

Mr. Ennals

I made not a lengthy but an adequately long statement in the United Nations a fortnight ago on precisely this question. I shall arrange for a copy of that statement of Her Majesty's Government's policy to be put in the Library. We have established an advisory committee on disarmament to advise me, as the responsible Minister, and at its next meeting, which comes well before the conference on non-proliferation, that will be the main item on the agenda.

Mr. Amery

The right hon. Gentleman referred to the Vladivostok agreement. Can he assure the House that in the Government's opinion there is nothing there that would in any way weaken the security of the West?

Mr. Ennals

I have no reason to believe that any agreement that was reached by the United States would imperil the security of the West.