HC Deb 17 March 1988 vol 129 c627W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration and discussions have taken place within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in respect of the possibility of retaining safety margins of chemical weapons; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ian Stewart

There are no chemical weapons declared to NATO, although the United States possesses a minimal retaliatory capability. It is the aim of all NATO states to achieve a comprehensive, verifiable and global ban on all chemical weapons, as was confirmed at the meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in Brussels on 2–3 March.