HC Deb 18 December 1985 vol 89 cc196-7W
31. Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to resume trilateral negotiations with the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty under article VI of the non proliferation treaty.

Mr. Renton

We shall continue to seek progress towards a comprehensive test ban treaty. We hope that the conference on disarmament in Geneva, when it resumes in February, will be able to address the problems of verification which still stand in the way of a treaty.

45. Mr. Patrick Thompson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the latest prospects for a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty.

78. Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in promoting a comprehensive nuclear test ban agreement, with particular reference to an effective verification procedure.

Mr. Renton

In my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Mr. Soames) on 25 Novmber at column418 I outlined the steps the United Kingdom had taken to resolve the outstanding difficulties in the way of a comprehensive test ban treaty. While we remain committed to progress towards a comprehensive test ban treaty, we see little hope of progress until these difficulties are resolved.

Mr. Best

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what studies have been undertaken by his Department into the effects of a comprehensive test ban treaty upon the development of the United States strategic defence initiative.

Mr. Renton

None.