§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken to fulfil the United Kingdom's international obligation under the non-proliferation treaty to achieve a comprehensive test ban treaty; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceThe preamble to the NPT recalls the determination expressed by the parties to the 1963 partial314W test ban treaty to achieve a comprehensive test ban treaty. We remain committed to seek progress towards such a treaty. It is essential, however, first to resolve outstanding problems on verification to ensure that such a ban can be properly enforced. We will continue to work for this at the conference on disarmament in Geneva.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the outcome of talks between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on article 6 of the non-proliferation treaty; and why the United Kingdom was not present at these talks.
§ Mr. LuceTalks last November between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics addressed nuclear non-proliferation matters. The details are a matter for the Governments concerned. For its part, the United Kingdom holds regular consultations on non-proliferation with other countries, including the USA and the USSR.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that the projected sale of civil nuclear technology to China for a pressurised water reactor nuclear power station is in accordance with the United Kingdom's obligations under the non-proliferation treaty.
§ Mr. LuceThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office scrutinises all proposals for nuclear related exports from the United Kingdom to ensure that they are in accordance with our non-proliferation policy and with our obligations under the NPT. The sale by GEC of the turbines for the Guangdong power station is fully in accord with both.