§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will discuss with the US Administration the call by the US Army Communications and Electronics Command for proposals from industry for examining the potential use of a computer virus as a battlefield electronics weapon to disrupt or destroy data in targeted communications computers, (Aviation Week and Space Technology, May 14th 1990, p.38) and whether they will: (a) seek to discourage the US from embarking on such courses, and (b) propose an international agreement to control the spread of computer viruses for military or other unfriendly purposes.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Brabazon of Tara): We are aware of the press report to which the noble Lord refers. We understand that the US Government has so far only called for a feasibility study; it is therefore premature to consider the scope for an agreement to limit computer viruses as battlefield weapons. We shall however monitor developments in the course of our regular contacts with the US Government on defence and arms control issues.