§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to formulate a co-ordinated strategy to ensure compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention; and if he will make a statement. [16689]
§ Mr. BradshawThe Chemical Weapons Convention contains comprehensive compliance measures. These include the requirement to declare activities with scheduled chemicals, and of past chemical weapons production facilities and stockpiles; consultations; routine inspections of industrial and military facilities; and challenge inspections for alleged breaches of the Convention. The UK supports the implementation of these measures in the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and on a bilateral basis. The UK reviews declarations by other State Parties and, where appropriate, has bilateral consultations to clarify possible ambiguities and omissions with the country concerned in order to ensure full transparency. The UK also undertakes practice806W challenge inspections, and provides training and technical assistance to the OPCW. We continue to press for the universal adoption of the Convention.