HC Deb 02 February 1984 vol 53 cc299-300W
Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any information as to whether the high contracting parties to the second strategic arms limitaton treaty have actually observed its provisions, despite its non-ratification by the United States of America; whether any alleged breaches have been reported to the parties, or to the United Nations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Luce

The United States and the Soviet Union have both undertaken to refrain from actions that undercut the unratified SALT II agreement. On 23 January President Reagan transmitted to the United States Congress a report that indicated areas where the Russians had laid themselves open to accusations that they had contravened the intentions of some arms control agreements, including SALT II. The Soviet Union responded by delivering in aide memoire to the Americans alleging their non-compliance with arms control agreements, 'including SALT II. Questions about compliance with the SALT agreements are regularly discussed between the two sides in the Standing Consultative Commission set up in 1972. Alleged breaches have not been reported to the United Nations.

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