§ 16. Mr. Chapmanasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will report progress on the preparations for the United Nations special session on disarmament in June.
§ Mr. HurdAs my hon. Friend knows, the preparatory committee for the special session will meet next month for the last time. Meanwhile work continues in the committee on disarmament in Geneva on a comprehensive programme of disarmament. In this country we have held a further meeting with non-governmental organisations to consider our approach to the session.
§ 18. Mr. Marksasked the Lord Privy Seal what proposals for disarmament Her Majesty's Government will put forward to the United Nations special session on disarmament in June.
§ Mr. HurdThe Government have tabled a draft comprehensive programme of disarmament and this will be one of the main subjects for discussion at the special session. We have also tabled verification provisions for a chemical weapons convention on which we wish quicker progress to he made. We shall support proposals at the special session which may serve as a spur to the various arms control and disarmament negotiations already in progress or in prospect.
§ 28. Mr. McNallyasked the Lord Privy Seal if Her Majesty's Government will propose a comprehensive test ban treaty to the United Nations special session on disarmament.
132W
§ Mr. HurdA comprehensive test ban is one of the measures included in the draft of a comprehensive programme of disarmament which we have tabled for discussion at the special session.
§ 38. Sir William van Straubenzeeasked the Lord Privy Seal whether any Minister in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be present at the forthcoming United Nations conference on disarmament.
§ Mr. HurdMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister plans to attend the special session. There are at present no plans for a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister to go as well.
§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Lord Privy Seal what initiatives the British delegation will be taking at the United Nations special Session on Disarmament towards achieving multilateral nuclear disarmament; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdThe Government have already put forward their ideas on multilateral nuclear disarmament in the comprehensive programme of disarmament, which they have tabled in preparation for the special session. We place the highest priority on the successful conclusion of the arms control negotiations which are already in progress, as well as those which are expected to begin shortly.