HL Deb 12 October 1982 vol 434 cc813-4WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have been a party to negotiations with the United States and the Soviet Union with a view to agreeing the terms of a comprehensive test ban treaty; whether it is the case that the United States has decided not to continue these negotiations: and whether, if this decision proves to be irrevocable, the Government will continue the discussions on a bi-lateral basis.

Lord Belstead

From 1977 to 1980 the United Kingdom took part in negotiations with the United States and the Soviet Union for a comprehensive test ban treaty. In March 1982, following a review of policy, President Reagan's Administration announced that while a comprehensive test ban treaty remained an objective of United States policy, priority should be given to negotiations for a reduction in the number of nuclear weapons. In April 1982 all three Governments agreed to the establishment of a working group in the Committee on Disarmament to look at the problems of verification and compliance inherent in a comprehensive test ban treaty.