HC Deb 17 October 1989 vol 158 cc78-9W
Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department met with President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates during his recent visit to London, to discuss(a) nuclear weapons proliferation in the Middle East Gulf Region and (b) initiatives that may be taken at the fourth review conference of the non-proliferation treaty.

Mr. Waldegrave

No. But we have made it clear on many occasions that we would welcome the adherence of the United Arab Emirates to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what correspondence his Department has received in the last six months on the issue of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Mr. Waldegrave

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office regularly receives correspondence touching on nuclear-related issues, including non-proliferation, from organisations and members of the public.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place since July with other governments on progress on preparations for the fourth review conference of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Mr. Waldegrave

Further discussions took place at the second preparatory committee for the fourth review conference, which was held in Geneva from 11 to 15 September.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to raise the issue of non-proliferation treaty membership with each of the governments of the non-proliferation treaty states; and what initiatives he plans to increase the total membership of the non-proliferation treaty.

Mr. Waldegrave

We regularly raise the question of accession to the treaty with non-parties at various levels. As a depositary power, the United Kingdom attaches importance to the widest possible adherence to the treaty.