HC Deb 25 July 1985 vol 83 cc683-4W
Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply of 3 May to the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Deakins), Official Report, column 258, if he will set out the dates of those occasions on which his Department has consulted the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on nuclear non-proliferation since December 1982.

Mr. Luce

It is not our practice to disclose details about confidential meetings with foreign Governments. However, these consultations have taken place several times each year during the period in question.

Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state (a) the membership and (b) the remit, of the three committees that will be formed at the non-proliferation treaty third review conference.

Mr. Luce

Membership of the main committee is open to any state party. The distribution of work between them is dealt with by the final report of the preparatory committee, which states as follows:

Proposed allocation of items to the main committees of the conference

The Preparatory Committee agreed to recommend for consideration by the Review Conference the following allocation of items to the three Main Committees, with the understanding that the remaining items would be considered in the Plenary:

(a) To Main Committee I: item 13. Review of the operation of the Treaty as provided for in its Article VIII (3): Implementation of the provisions of the Treaty relating to non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. disarmament and international peace and security:

  1. (1) Articles I and II and preambular paragraphs 1–3.
  2. (2) Article VI and preambular paragraphs 8–12.
  3. (3) Article VII, with specific reference to the main issues considered in this committee.

Security assurances

  1. (1) Resolution 255 (1968) of the United Nations Security Council,
  2. (2) Effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons.

(b) To Main Committee II: item 13. Review of the operation of the Treaty as provided for in its Article VIII (3): Implementation of the provision of the Treaty relating to non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, safeguards and nuclear weapon free zones:

  1. (1) Article III and preambular paragraphs 4 and 5, especially in their relationship to Article IV and preambular paragraphs 6 and 7.
  2. (2) Articles I and II and preambular paragraphs 1–3 in their relationship to Articles III and IV.
  3. (3) Article VII.

Other provisions of the Treaty. item 14. Role of the Treaty in the promotion of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and of nuclear disarmament and in strengthening international peace and security:

  1. A. Acceptance of the Treaty by States.
  2. B. Measures aimed at promoting a wider acceptance of the Treaty.

(c) To Main Committee III item 13. Review of the operation of the Treaty as provided for in its Article VIII (3): Implementation of the provisions of the Treaty relating to peaceful applications of nuclear energy:

  1. (1) Articles IV and III(3) preambular paragraphs 6 and 7, especially in their relationship to Article III(1, 2, 4) and preambular paragraphs 4 and 5 as well as to Articles I and II.
  2. (2) Article V.

item 14. Role of the Treaty in the promotion of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and of nuclear disarmament and in strengthening international peace and security:

  1. A. Acceptance of the Treaty by States.
  2. B. Measures aimed at promoting a wider acceptance of the Treaty.

Remarks with regard to allocation of agenda items It is understood that all articles, preambular paragraphs and agenda items allocated to the Main Committees shall be reviewed in their interrelationship. Main Committee I is entrusted with the task of assessing the extent to which obligations of Articles I, II and VI are being met.

Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government intend to put forward any specific proposals at the third review conference of the non-proliferation treaty.

Mr. Luce

We are still considering the question of specific proposals at the non-proliferation treaty review conference. In the meantime I am arranging to have the United Kingdom's report about implementation of the treaty to which I referred in my answer to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Ashdown) on 24 July, placed in the Library of the House.

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