HC Deb 23 March 1981 vol 1 c241W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Lord Privy Seal why the Government abstained from supporting resolution 35/156F in the United Nations General Assembly on a study on nuclear weapons, sponsored by Sweden.

Mr. Hurd

Resolution 35/156F took note with satisfaction of the Secretary-General's report on nuclear weapons. The United Kingdom had no part in drafting the report and abstained in order to avoid any impression that it accurately reflected the United Kingdom's views.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Lord Privy Seal why the Government voted against resolution 35/152D in the United Nations General Assembly on the non-use of nuclear weapons.

Mr. Hurd

Nuclear weapons are fundamental to NATO's policy of deterrence. We need to be able to meet aggression at whatever level it may occur with an appropriate response to demonstrate that the risks for an aggressor outweigh any possible advantage he might gain. A ban on the use of nuclear weapons would undermine this strategy and be dangerously destabilising.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Lord Privy Seal why the Government abstained from supporting resolution 35/156H in the United Nations General Assembly entitled Cut-Off of Fissionable Material, and sponsored by Canada.

Mr. Hurd

The Government accept that an adequately verified ban on producing fissionable material for weapons purposes is a desirable objective. As the United Kingdom explanation of vote made clear, however, we believe that consistent Soviet opposition to the idea and the impracticability of verification mean that there is no prospect of progress for the foreseeable future.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Lord Privy Seal why the Government abstained from supporting resolution 35/145B in the United Nations General Assembly on a comprehensive test ban.

Mr. Hurd

The resolution requested the Committee on Disarmament to set up a working group to initiate substantive negotiations on a comprehensive test ban treaty. The Government believe that such a group would not contribute to the success of the comprehensive test ban negotiations between the United Kingdom, the United States and the Soviet Union. The United States and Soviet Union also abstained.