HL Deb 28 June 1985 vol 465 c948WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that the Soviet Union has breached the terms of: (a) the ABM Treaty, and if so in what respect;: and (b) the unratified but observed SALT II Treaty; and if so in what respects.

Baroness Young

The United Kingdom is not a party to either treaty, nor do we participate directly in discussion of compliance issues. Respect for obligations under exisiting arms control agreements is of great importance. The United States Administration has set out at length the issues where it believes Soviet compliance is in question. The Soviet record provides real cause for concern. It is now up to the Russians to produce convincing answers, particularly over the construction of a large new radar at Krasnoyarsk. Our own concern about the latter has been made clear to them.