HL Deb 13 July 1977 vol 385 cc964-6WA
Lord BOSTON of FAVERSHAM

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What further efforts have been made to resolve international differences over the exploitation of the natural resources of the Moon and whether any and if so what further progress has been made towards the completion of a draft treaty on the Moon since the resolution relating to these matters was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations at its 31st session.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

Since adoption of General Assembly Resolution 31/8 of 12th November 1976, this matter has been further discussed by the Legal Sub-Committee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCPUOS). The Sub-Committee made little progress in resolving the differences concerning the exploitation of the natural resources of the moon. At its meeting in Vienna from 20th June to 1st July UNCPUOS therefore again asked the Legal Sub-Committee to continue to consider at its next session, as a matter of high priority, a draft Treaty relating to the moon.

House adjourned at thirteen minutes before six o'clock.