HC Deb 24 January 1984 vol 52 c528W
Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will propose the adoption by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation of a policy of negotiating a reduction in the ratio of nuclear warheads to launchers, with a view to moving to single-warhead missiles.

Mr. Luce

Such a policy is in line with the Americans' proposals on land-based strategic missile forces at the Geneva talks. We support this position and the thinking behind it.

Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will propose the adoption by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation of a policy of a ban on weapons in space.

Mr. Luce

In the context of efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space, NATO Allies proposed in the committee on disarmament last year that the existing international law concerning the peaceful use of outer space be reviewed. The Sovit Union and its Allies refused to agree. We trust a more co-operative attitude will be evident when the committee resumes its work next month.

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