HL Deb 28 November 1985 vol 468 c1052WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is their view that the development of any materials or systems under the strategic defence initiative is precluded by the ABM Treaty (Official Report, Commons, 14/11/85, col. 259).

Lord Trefgarne

The ABM Treaty places severe limits on the development of ABM systems, including a prohibition on the development of ABM systems which are sea-based, air-based, space-based or mobile land-based. The treaty does not place any specific limits on the development of materials. The strategic defence initiative is a research programme, which the US has stated will be conducted within existing US treaty constraints.