HC Deb 22 June 1982 vol 26 c79W
Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the Government propose to assist in the world disarmament campaign adopted unanimously at the second special session of the United Nations starting on 7 June.

Mr. Hurd

We welcome the campaign to draw public attention to the efforts of the United Nations in the field of disarmament. Much is already being done in this direction in Britain and in other countries which enjoy freedom of information and debate. We are studying with care the Secretary-General's proposals.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the proposal for a world disarmament conference on the agenda of the second special session of the United Nations on disarmament; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hurd

We do not think that such a conference would be useful in present circumstances. Negotiations between the main military powers offer better prospects of achieving meaningful agreements. In particular, we want to see progress in the negotiations on INF, START and MBFR and towards a ban on chemical weapons.