HL Deb 08 February 1978 vol 388 cc1157-8WA
Lord HYLTON

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have yet prepared instructions for the United Kingdom representatives to the United Nations Special Session on Disarmament in the spring of 1978; and when the British position will be made public.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

We have drawn up a plan setting out both the most urgent measures needed in disarmament and the steps required for further progress thereafter. Our plan, which we have tried to make comprehensive yet specific and practical, includes new suggestions, notably for the adoption in other parts of the world of confidence building measures of the type that exist in Europe. We have also called for important studies by the United Nations, including one on the strengthening of the peace-keeping capability of the organisation. With other Western States as co-sponsors, we put forward this plan in the United Nations on 1st February in the form of a draft for the Programme of Action which is likely to be the most important document adopted by the Special Session. A copy is in the Library of the House.