HC Deb 19 March 1993 vol 221 cc431-2W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards member states of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty evoking their right under article X(i) of the treaty to withdraw from membership.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The United Kingdom is determined to maintain and strengthen the non-proliferation treaty. We are therefore treating North Korea's announcement of its intention to withdraw from the treaty under article X(i) as a matter of great concern. We urge North Korea to reconsider its position.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings or communications he has had with his counterparts in(a) the United States of America and (b) Russia, in regard to the recent announcement by North Korea that it intends to withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Representatives of the Governments of the United Kingdom, the Russian Federation and the United States of America met on 17 March in Vienna to discuss their concern about the consequences of the announcement of the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to withdraw from the non-proliferation treaty. The subject was also discussed at a special session of the International Atomic Energy Authority Board of Governors on 18 March.

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