§ Lord Kennetaskes Her Majesty's Government:
For what reasons in 1985 they opposed a resolution in the UN concerning a total test ban treaty and in 1986 abstained on a similar resolution; and what is their attitude to the setting up of an international network of seismic stations to monitor underground nuclear tests, such as is being proposed by the Australian Government.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)The Government decide their votes on the basis of the terms of each individual resolution. There are substantive differences between Resolutions 40/81 in 1985 and 41/47 in 1986.
An international network of seismic stations could have a role to play in verification arrangements for any eventual comprehensive test ban, but we believe it would be premature to establish one now.