§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards efforts by other countries to establish nuclear-free zones; and what is the policy concerning such zones when they are established.
§ Mr. LuceWe believe that the establishment of nuclear weapon-free zones in certain parts of the world could contribute to regional security, to non-proliferation and to disarmament in general, provided that nuclear weapons do not already feature in the security of the region involved and all states concerned are prepared to participate on the basis of agreements freely entered into and in keeping with internationally recognised principles. The zone created by the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America of 1967 is a good example. We give that Treaty our full support, as is evidenced by our ratification in 1969 of Additional Protocols I and II. We would like to see all the states which are entitled to do so become parties and to see the treaty enter into force in the entire region.