HL Deb 29 June 1976 vol 372 cc661-3

2.37 p.m.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what response they have made to Japan's ratification of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and their proposals for the complete abolition of nuclear weapons and acceptance of the safeguards to peaceful nuclear activities required by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)

My Lords, we have welcomed Japan's ratification as an event of great significance which gives much support and encouragement to those who are already parties to the Treaty. Her Majesty's Government play an active role in international efforts to achieve nuclear disarmament under strict and effective international control. During the negotiations on the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Her Majesty's Government stated that they would be prepared to offer an opportunity for the application of safeguards in the United Kingdom subject to exclusions for national security reasons only. I am glad to be able to inform the House that discussions on the agreement between the United Kingdom, the International Atomic Energy Agency and Euratom to implement this voluntary offer have now been concluded satisfactorily and we expect to sign the agreement in the near future.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, while appreciating that Answer, may I ask the Minister whether it would not be appropriate, as Japan first suffered from the atomic holocaust, that this should he made the occasion for an initiative for nuclear disarmament? Is it not the case that France, China and the Soviet Union, among others, had declared for the total abolition of nuclear weapons, and, in view of the extension of power stations, is this not now a very urgent matter?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, it is indeed an urgent matter, and practically every country that has anything to do with nuclear physics is in favour of as early as possible complete disarmament in this field. A number of very useful initiatives are now proceeding, the practicality of which will receive the full-hearted support of Her Majesty's Government, and Japan's signature of ratification of this important Treaty will itself, I hope, give a tremendous fillip to its extension to other countries which so far have not ratified the Treaty.

Lord HARMAR-NICHOLLS

My Lords, would the noble Lord agree that complete nuclear disarmament is not a possibility until it is generally agreed that inspection in everybody's territory will be allowed?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

Yes, of course, my Lords. There can be no effective disarmament without full verification.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, is it not the case that there has been a great advance recently in the principle of accepting verification on the part of the Soviet Union? And may I ask my noble friend, in relation to the latter part of his Answer, whether the Soviet Union has yet accepted the safeguards laid down by the International Atomic Energy Authority?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, the Soviet Union is a party to the arrangements under the IAEA. As to the advance in the acceptability of verification, some progress has been made but, clearly, not quite enough.