HL Deb 30 April 1986 vol 474 c381WA
Lord Mayhew

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the statement of Baroness Young on 21st April that, in connection with a comprehensive test ban, they consider verification to be "a major concern" (col. 951), whether they have other reasons for refusing to resume negotiations for a test ban treaty, and if so, what are these reasons.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)

Were negotiations on a test ban treaty to resume, questions other than concerns over verification would need to be addressed. But as the noble Lord is aware, our view remains that it would be premature to resume negotiations until progress on resolving verification issues has been made.