Disarmament and Arms Control

HC Deb 15 June 1981 vol 6 cc272-3W

Mr. Hooley

asked the Prime Minister if she will set out the precise details of ministerial responsibility for disarmament and arms control.

The Prime Minister

Multilateral disarmament and arms control form an essential element of our foreign policy; responsibility therefore rests with my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. Within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Oxon (Mr. Hurd), has special responsibility for arms control and disarmament.