HC Deb 18 January 1983 vol 35 c109W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Prime Minister on what date representatives of the United Kingdom Government have met representatives of the Soviet Union to discuss the rejection of chemical weapons; and what has been the response of the Soviet Government.

The Prime Minister

The Committee on Disarmament, of which we and the Russians are members, has established a working group to elaborate a convention banning the development, production and stockpiling of chemical weapons. The working group, which held sessions in 1981 and 1982, opens its spring session today.

In February 1982 Britain tabled fresh verification proposals in the working group. In July 1982 the Russians tabled basic provisions for a convention acknowledging the need for on-site inspection.