§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the UK will put forward to strengthen the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty at the preparatory conference, Twenty-First session, to be held from 10 to 14 November 2003. [137940]
770W
§ Mr. MacShaneThe Twenty-First Session of the Preparatory Commission (Prepcom) of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which took place in Vienna from 10 to 14 November 2003, dealt primarily with the 2004 Budget for the Provisional Technical Secretariat. The CTBT has yet to enter into force and the Prepcom has no powers to strengthen the Treaty itself. The UK has always been at the forefront of efforts to maintain the build-up of the Treaty's International Monitoring System. We consider it a priority to ensure that the Treaty's verification requirements can be met at entry into force and will continue to provide appropriate assistance to promote this end.