§ Q6. Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
§ The Prime MinisterThe treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, of which the United Kingdom is a depository state, remains the cornerstone of international efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation. Ten 294 states have become parties in 1992, bringing the total to 155. We continue to work for universal adherence to the treaty, and for its indefinite extension in 1995.
§ Mr. DalyellCan the House have a clear, unambiguous statement—given the contrary views of Mr. John Gordon, who was head of the Foreign Office nuclear energy unit from 1986 to 1988—that at no time did Britain infringe either article 1 or any other article of the 1968 non-proliferation treaty in relation to the sale of arms to Iraq or other countries in the middle east?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is Government policy to meet all our obligations under the non-proliferation treaty. Allegations that the United Kingdom may not have done so will be matters for Lord Justice Scott, and I think that that had better wait for his inquiry. I am aware of Iraqi claims. They are matters for Lord Justice Scott to investigate.