Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the discussions in the conference on disarmament on banning attacks on nuclear power stations; and if he will take steps to strengthen the provisions of article 56 of protocol I of the 1977 additional protocols to the 1949 Geneva convention.
§ Mr. MellorThe prevention of attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities is the subject of discussion by the conference on disarmament's ad hoc committee on radiological weapons. The United Kingdom plays a constructive role in these talks and is chairing the committee this year.
We do not believe that it would be appropriate to attempt to alter the text of the 1977 additional protocols, which were preceded by long and detailed negotiations.