HL Deb 22 May 1985 vol 464 cc289-90

2.43 p.m.

Lord Molloy

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

The Question is as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what further communications they have received from the United States Government concerning the star wars research programmes.

Baroness Young

My Lords, we remain in close touch with the United States Administration regarding the latter's strategic defence initiative research program me.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that reply. Does she not think that both Houses of Parliament and the people should know what these communications are? Can she say why we are being kept in the dark? Is she further aware that the new wisdom enunciated by Sir Geoffrey Howe, the British Foreign Secretary, has taken root in many political parties in NATO countries and has also been deeply admired in the United States itself? It may be a consequence of the success of the wisdom of Sir Geoffrey Howe that the Government are not too keen to tell us what is happening.

Baroness Young

My Lords, the British Government's position on SDI is clear. It is set out in the four points agreed between the Prime Minister and President Reagan at Camp David just before Christmas. As the noble Lord has said, my right honourable and learned friend the Secretary of State set out our position in his speech in March. Nothing is being hidden on these two public documents. They make quite plain our view on this important matter.

Lord Kennet

My Lords, have the Government anything more to say yet in answer to the question, "Who is to answer the 15 questions set out in the Foreign Secretary's speech of 15th March?" to which the noble Baroness has alluded?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I do not think that I can add anything in answer to the noble Lord's question following upon the important debate that he raised in this House last week.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that the fundamental questions posed by the British Foreign Secretary have been commented upon in Europe among our allies and in the United States? As there have been official comments on the vital points that he made and the questions of paramount importance that he posed, can the noble Baroness assure the House that we shall be given the answers to the Foreign Secretary's questions which the House and the country ought to know?

Baroness Young

My Lords, my right honourable and learned friend set out a number of questions on matters that need to be considered. They are being considered not only in this country but also in other countries in Europe. They are matters among others that we are discussing with our allies.