HC Deb 02 March 1989 vol 148 cc289-90W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, during his recent trip to Japan, he had the opportunity to discuss with other foreign ministers or heads of state current progress on the strengthening of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and plans for the first preparatory committee for the 1990 non-proliferation treaty review conference, to be held on 1 to 5 May.

Mrs. Chalker

On this occasion, no. However, we regularly take the opportunity to discuss with other governments the strengthening of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, and are actively pursuing with other states the parties' preparations for the first preparatory committee for the 1990 non-proliferation treaty review conference.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to instruct the United Kingdom delegation to the first preparatory committee meeting, to be held on 1 to 5 May, for the 1990 fourth review conference of the non-proliferation treaty, to negotiate full observer status for the European proliferation information centre to attend the 1990 review conference.

Mrs. Chalker

We have not yet received any such request from the European proliferation information centre (EPIC). However, as a recognised nongovernmental organisation, the EPIC was granted observer status at the 1985 non-proliferation treaty review conference. If similar rules of procedure are adopted at the 1990 review conference, there should be no objection to EPIC attendance as observers.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasion ministers or officials of his Department last raised the question of accession to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty by France and the People's Republic of China, respectively, with ministers or officials of those states.

Mrs. Chalker

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 20 February by my hon. Friend the Minister of State at column472.