HC Deb 17 March 1981 vol 1 cc192-3
Ql. Mr. Hooley

asked the Prime Minister whether her conversations with President Reagan included discussions on the stockpiling or deployment of binary nerve gas weapons on British soil.

The Prime Minister (Mrs. Margaret Thatcher)

No, Sir.

Mr. Hooley

Is the Prime Minister aware that the United Kingdom has hitherto had a good record in promoting discussions on a convention to abolish all chemical weapons and prohibit their use? In the light of the horrific nature of such weapons, will this continue to be the policy of Her Majesty's Government?

The Prime Minister

Yes, indeed. We are anxious to secure a comprehensive ban on chemical weapons. what is holding up such a bands the attitude of the Soviet Union, which has shown itself unwilling to countenance the verification arrangements that we need.

Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that many of us on the Government Benches welcome the Government's decision not to develop an offensive chemical warfare capability but to concentrate on producing better defensive mechanisms against chemical warfare?

The Prime Minister

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. It would be better still if we had a comprehensive ban on the possession of chemical weapons but so far there is no prospect of getting one. Moreover, it would be better if those who have been accused of possibly using chemical weapons in Afghanistan would submit to United Nations investigation, which so far they have refused to do.

Mr. James A. Dunn

Will the Prime Minister include in her discussions reference to El Salvador and any military or civil assistance that might be requested?

Mr. Speaker

Order. That is a very different question from the one that is before the House.

Mr. Churchill

Is it not a matter of extreme concern that the Soviet Union should have made such heavy investments in recent years in offensive chemical capability, both land-based and air-launched? Is it not a fact that every division of the Soviet Army has an integral chemical battalion? In those circumstances, unless some agreement can be obtained with the Soviet Union, is my right hon. Friend prepared to reconsider whether British troops should face these weapons without any means of defending themselves?

The Prime Minister

I agree with my hon. Friend that it is a terrible fact that the Soviet Union has a considerable offensive chemical weapons capability. Criticism should be concentrated on persuading the Soviet Union first to reduce that capability and then totally to disband it. So long as the Soviet Union retains it, naturally other countries are concerned that they have nothing with which to deter the Soviet Union from using it. We must first concentrate on giving our own troops a defensive capability and proper protection.

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