§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current status of (i) the 1963 partial test ban treaty and (ii) the 1972 anti-ballistic missile treaty in the light of the dissolution of the former Soviet Union.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe rights and obligations of the Soviet Union as a party to the 1963 partial test ban treaty have been inherited by the Russian federation, which has continuity of statehood with the former Soviet Union. The United Kingdom is not a party to the 1972 anti-ballistic missile treaty, but we would assume that the same considerations apply.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what agreement has been reached with the new Government of the Russian federation to establish Russia as a third depositary state for the nuclear non-proliferation treaty in place of the disbanded Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggNone. The rights and responsibilities of a depositary Government of the non-proliferation treaty have been inherited by the Russian federation which has continuity of statehood with the former Soviet Union.