Outer Space Treaty

HL Deb 02 May 1996 vol 571 cc156-7WA

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is their belief that any military activity other than those specifically precluded by Article 4 of the space treaty is (a) permitted, and (b) is not governed by Article 1 of the Treaty.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The Outer Space Treaty as a whole applies to all activities in outer space. Whether particular activities in outer space are lawful depends on whether they are consistent with the Treaty (and, as reflected in Article III, with international law generally).

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it has been generally understood by signatories of the space treaty that only those military activities specifically precluded by Article 4 of the space treaty are prohibited and that no other military activity in space is governed by Article 1 of the Treaty.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

It is for each party to a treaty to express its own understanding of its provisions.