§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on the internationally monitored system of on-site inspections following a pre-emptory challenge of the nature of the work, or of materials stored, in relation to verification of chemical and biological disarmament; and what is his policy towards the formation of international inspection teams.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe concept of challenge on-site inspection currently under discussion at the conference on disarmament in Geneva in the negotiations for a374W comprehensive convention banning chemical weapons is largely drawn from a United Kingdom proposal tabled in 1986. However, much work remains to be done to elaborate the detailed procedures which will be required to make the regime effective.
It is agreed in the negotiations that on-site inspections will be carried out by international inspection teams drawn from the technical secretariat of the international organisation which will be established to oversee and administer the implementation of the convention.
The development, production, stockpiling and use of biological weapons is already banned by the 1972 biological weapons convention to which over 100 states (including the United Kingdom) are party. This convention has no specific provision for on-site inspections, either routinely or on challenge.