§ Mr. Lathamasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the steps which his Department has taken to bring about an enforceable agreement to prevent the further manufacture, stockpiling and development of (a) chemical and (b) biological weapons and subsequently to bring about the destruction of existing stocks and the banning of the use of such weapons; and what progress has been achieved to date.
§ Mr. HurdOn 18 February the United Kingdom delegation to the committee on disarmament tabled proposals for the verification of a convention banning the development, production and stockpiling of chemical weapons. We propose the establishment by the parties to the convention of a consultative committee to verify destruction of existing stocks and production facilities, and to monitor compliance with the provisions of the convention in the future.
The use of chemical weapons in warfare is prohibited by the Geneva protocol of 1925 of which the United Kingdom is a signatory.
428WThe 1972 biological weapons convention bans the development, production and stockpiling of biological weapons. The United Kingdom is supporting moves now being considered by parties to the convention for improving the convention's provisions for verification and compliance.