§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of the three depository powers under the non-proliferation treaty towards the inclusion in a comprehensive test ban treaty of prohibition of nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes.
§ Mr. LuceThe working paper "Peaceful Nuclear Explosions in Relation to a Nuclear Test Ban", which the United Kingdom tabled at the Geneva conference on disarmament in June 1983, sets out the Government's policy in detail. I also refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 7 May at column79, and to that which I gave the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Thomas) on 8 May at column 429.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on progress of ratification by the United States of America of the threshold test ban treaty and the peaceful nuclear explosion treaty; and if he has proffered any advice to the United States of America on this matter.
§ Mr. LuceWe have remained in close touch with the United States Administration over their efforts to achieve improved verification arrangements for the two treaties referred to by the hon. Member and over President Reagan's proposal of September 1984 for exchanges of test-site observers.