HL Deb 19 June 1978 vol 393 cc815-7

2.54 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 whether, in view of NATO's use of military satellites, they will take the initiative to associate NATO, as well as Her Majesty's Government, with the objects of the Helsinki talks between the USA and the USSR to suspend the development of anti-satellite weapons.

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, the control of anti-satellite weapons is primarily a matter for the USA and the USSR. Her Majesty's Government therefore welcome the recent contacts between the two countries on this matter and consider that these offer the best hope for progress.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, is there not now a very great danger of war extending to outer space, when 1,500 military satellites are now operating and three out of four space rockets are released for military purposes? In view of the fact that there is the Outer Space Treaty, signed by nearly 70 countries, banning weapons of mass destruction in space, would it not be possible to follow this by a treaty prohibiting tests, with, eventually, the prohibition of war in space?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, that is an ideal for the future, but at the moment, under SALT I, both parties—that is, the United States and the USSR—are prevented from interfering with the reconnaissance satellites used to monitor compliance with the agreement. In this case, the satellites in question are instruments of peace.

The EARL of KIMBERLEY

My Lords, will the Minister agree that, until such time as we have a perfect world, it is absolutely vital that, for our own peace and quiet, NATO should keep just as many military satellites watching the other side?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I am in agreement with the noble Earl.

Lord BROCKWAY

But, my Lords, is it not the case that discussions now taking place between the USA and the USSR hold a promise of the prohibitions which I have been seeking? Also, is it not the case that the Soviet Union now has 902 military space systems, against the 563 of the United States of America, and that America is allowing NATO to use 12 satellites for those military purposes?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I am much more afraid of what is happening on the ground, than of what is happening in outer space.