§ 3. Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the United Kingdom is party to any international agreements concerning extra-terrestrial bodies.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Ray Whitney)The United Kingdom is a party to the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, often called, for short, the Outer Space Treaty 1967.
§ Mr. FoulkesI hope that the question has not caused the Minister or any of his advisers any sleepless nights. On behalf of terrestrials, as well as extra-terrestrials, could the Minister, his right hon. and learned Friend, and the Government make representations to President Reagan against the extension of weapons to outer space, which threatens to destroy the whole of our civilisation, if not civilisations beyond?
§ Mr. WhitneyI assure the hon. Gentleman that his question has caused no sleepless nights. I further assure him that the propositions in President Reagan's speech of 23 March, to which he refers, on defensive technologies are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Outer Space Treaty 1967.