§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they interpret the Outer Space Treaty as allowing all military activities except the basing of nuclear weapons on the moon; and, if so, how this is compatable with Article I of the Treaty; and [HL4194]
Whether the placement above national airspace of space-based laser weapon systems which can be used as weapons of mass destruction is in accordance with international law, whether conventional or customary. [HL4198]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalUnder Article IV of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, States Parties undertake "not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, install such weapons on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space in any other manner."