HC Deb 09 January 1978 vol 941 cc665-6W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he intends to attend the United Nations Special Assembly on Disarmament in 1978.

Mr. Luard

My right hon. Friend's present intention is to do so.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held within the EEC to concert policy on disarmament in the light of the forthcoming Special United Nations Assembly in 1978.

Mr. Luard

Meetings of officials concerned with disarmament from Governments of the Nine take place at regular intervals. Such meetings have recently dealt particularly with preparations for the United Nations Special Session on Disarmament.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what studies are currently undertaken in his Department with a view to preparing the United Kingdom position for the United Nations Special Assembly on disarmament to be held in 1978.

Mr. Luard

We are reviewing our policy. The Special Session is to issue a declaration on disarmament, and the United Kingdom, with other States, has put forward a draft for this which was published as United Nations Document A/AC.187/87 on 13th December 1977. A copy is in the Library of the House. We are currently studying the other points on the agenda for the Special Session, especially matters relating to the Programme of Action on Disarmament which the Special Session is to adopt.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for a public seminar of interested bodies to discuss proposals or lines of policy which Her Majesty's Government might advocate at the forthcoming Special United Nations Assembly in 1978 which will discuss Disarmament.

Mr. Luard

My right hon. Friend has already held one such meeting with interested non-governmental organisations, on 14th December 1977. My right hon. Friend plans another before the Special Session.