§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they have persistently blocked the attempts of the Committee on Disarmament to negotiate a treaty for the prohibition of all nuclear weapons tests in accordance with the General Assembly resolution to which they are a party.
§ Baroness YoungSince 1982 we have played an active part in efforts at the Geneva Conference on Disarmament to discuss and define, through substantive examination, issues relating to verification and compliance with a view to making further progress towards a nuclear test ban. In 1983 we tabled two important working papers, on verification and on peaceful nuclear explosions. Earlier this year we put forward a new mandate on behalf of the Western members to enable this work to continue. The mandate has not so far been agreed by the Soviet Union.
§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they object in principle to United Nations resolutions restricting nuclear tests explosions, research into new weapons of mass destructions, the arms race in outer space and the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
§ Baroness YoungWe remain committed to reaching agreement on practical and fully verifiable arms control measures. We continue to seek progress towards a comprehensive test ban treaty. We stand ready to discuss at any time the limitation or prohibition of any new weapons of mass destruction once the type and nature of such a weapon has been defined. We are committed to the prevention of an arms race in outer space, through negotiation and mutual restraint. We welcome the swift and constructive United States response to the proposal for United States/Soviet talks on outer space arms control. We played an important part in drafting the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and as a co-depositary, we have actively sought to secure universal adherence to it.
We will support initiatives from any quarter at the United Nations or elsewhere which advance these objectives.
§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they voted against a United Nations resolution condemning nuclear war as contrary to conscience and reason.
§ Baroness YoungWe are not prepared to support resolutions which condemn NATO for its existing strategy, as this particular one sought to do. We are, 639WA however, firmly committed to nuclear arms control through balanced and verifiable measures. The NATO Alliance has pledged in the 1982 Bonn Declaration, and reiterated in the Brussels Declaration of December 1983. that no NATO weapons, nuclear or conventional, will ever be used except in response to attack.
§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they voted against a United Nations resolution calling for a freeze on nuclear weapons.
§ Baroness YoungA freeze on nuclear weapons would perpetuate the present Soviet technological and numerical superiority in a range of important weapon systems. It would also remove any incentive for the Soviet Union to negotiate on substantial arms reductions. Furthermore, adequate verification arrangements would take as long to negotiate as reductions. The United States has made it clear that it remains ready to resume nuclear arms control negotiations anywhere, at any time and without preconditions.
§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they voted against a resolution calling for the cessation of all test explosions.
§ Baroness YoungWe remain committed to seeking progress towards a comprehensive test ban. The resolution did not however make provision for the solving of outstanding problems on verification which we believe to be crucial if such a ban is to be properly enforced. We are continuing to work on these problems at the Geneva Conference on Disarmament. We shall support any resolution which facilitates this work.
§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they failed to support a resolution calling for the prevention of the arms race in outer space.
§ Baroness YoungWe are committed to the prevention of an arms race in outer space through negotiations and mutual restraint. The United Nations resolution referred to by the noble Lord did not recognise the need for a realistic and balanced approach.
§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they failed to support a resolution calling for co-operation in the United Nations' World Disarmament Campaign in disseminating accurate in formation.
§ Baroness YoungWe welcomed the successful implementation of the World Disarmament640WA Campaign which should complement the extensive information programmes already taking place in Western countries. However, the resolution referred to by the noble Lord as drafted could actually have resulted in a restriction of the free flow of information; we could not therefore subscribe to it, and nor could 29 other nations. We did, however, support an alternative resolution which was adopted by consensus.
§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they failed to support a resolution calling for the prohibition of the development and manufacture of new types of weapons of mass destruction.
§ Baroness YoungWe are prepared to enter negotiations on any new weapon of mass destruction once the type and nature of such a weapon has been defined. We believe that any such weapons and their technology can only be effectively and permanently prohibited if they are subject to concrete and verifiable control. To attempt a ban without adequate verification would not contribute to the strengthening of international security and confidence.
§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why, if they do not like the wording of resolutions presented to them at the United Nations, they do not put forward resolutions of their own or propose amendments to resolutions tabled by other countries.
§ Baroness YoungResolutions about disarmament—which I understand to be the noble Lord's major interest—are often the subject of informal consultations between delegations, in which we play an active part. We strive to reach agreement with others on language that enables the resolutions to be acceptable to all members of the United Nations. We frequently put forward proposals of our own, and we co-sponsor resolutions likely to contribute to international peace and security.