§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the achievements and failures in international arms control involving his Department in the past year.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggIn the course of the last 12 months, the CFE treaty has been signed, although problems remain over Soviet implementation of certain of its provisions. The treaty eliminating United States and Soviet intermediate nuclear forces has been implemented successfully. There is also the prospect of a START treaty reducing United States and Soviet strategic arsenals, and of reductions in short-range nuclear forces in Europe. We are working to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime; for the continued expansion of the missile technology control regime; and to make a success of United Nations Security Council resolution No. 687's requirements in relation to Iraq's nuclear, biological chemical and missile capabilities. We have welcomed President Bush's recent proposal for completion of a chemical weapons convention within 12 months, and are preparing for the third review conference of the biological weapons convention which will offer an opportunity to strengthen that regime.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigative groups have been established, pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolution 687 on verification and 579W destruction of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction; what involvement there is of United Kingdom experts in these groups; what offers of personnel and resource assistance were made by Her Majesty's Government to the United Nations in support of resolution 687; and what estimation of cost to the Exchequer has been made of United Kingdom participation in furtherance of resolution 687.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggPursuant to section C of Security Council resolution 687, the Secretary-General of the United Nations has established a special commission, and the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, with the assistance and co-operation of the special commission, has established an action team. They are making arrangements for inspections required by the resolution. The United Kingdom has given technical help and equipment to the International Atomic Energy Agency for its initial inspection in Iraq, which is already in progress. A senior United Kingdom expert in chemical and biological defence matters is the British member of the special commission and is playing a prominent part in its work. The United Kingdom has offered to make available other experts and analytical services. We are now considering what further assistance we can provide. The cost to the United Kingdom of these aspects of Security Council resolution 687 cannot yet be estimated because the scale of the required activities is still being assessed and no decision has yet been made on how they will be funded.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to extend to two hours the time the Minister of State with responsibility for arms control spends with non-governmental organisations at the next collective meeting held to discuss Government policy on arms control and disarmament matters.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI attend the meeting for as long as my other commitments permit, and allow ample time for discussion of the major issues. Additional questions are thereafter fielded by a team of officials.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting with non-governmental organisations with the Minister of State with responsibility for arms control on 14 May.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggAt my meeting with non-Governmental organisations on 14 May a wide range of arms control and disarmament topics were discussed. The proceedings were held under Chatham house rules and were thus off the record.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will raise the issues of nuclear non-proliferation controls and a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty at the forthcoming North Atlantic Treaty Organisation summit meeting.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggPreparations for the NATO summit are at an early stage; but we regularly discuss these matters with our allies and partners.