§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the United Kingdom abstained in the recent United Nations General Assembly vote on a resolution noting with satisfaction a study on unilateral nuclear disarmament measures; and why there was no common North Atlantic Treaty Organisation position on the resolution.
§ Mr. LuceWe abstained on United Nations General Assembly Resolution 39/148A because we believe that the study, which was produced by four neutral and non-aligned representatives and presented to the Secretary-General, lacked balance and depth and did not advance progress towards nuclear disarmament. The NATO alliance is not represented as a formal group within the UN system. Each member state is free to vote as it wishes. Several of our allies, including Belgium, Canada, France, the Federal Republic of Germany and Italy also abstained.