§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what indications were given to the United States Commission touring Europe recently regarding British attitudes in the event of the production by the United States of America of new chemical weapons; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyI have been asked to reply.
As a major ally of the United States and in view of the United Kingdom's leading role in the negotiations on a comprehensive chemical weapon ban at Geneva, the British Government were approached for their view by the United States presidential chemical warfare review commission. In their response, the British Government expressed concern about the chemical warfare threat from the Warsaw pact. They also emphasised their view that the Alliance should continue as its first priority to work urgently, in the current negotiations at Geneva, for a total and verifiable ban on all aspects of chemical warfare. They noted that United States moves towards modernisation would underline to the Russians the benefits of reaching early agreement on a total ban. In addition, the British Government underlined the need to uphold NATO's deterrent strategy of flexible response.