§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they should be "determined that British participation" in SDI research "should be fully compliant with the United States' obligation under the Treaty" (i.e. the ABM Treaty) (Foreign Office Evidence in public session to the House of Commons Select Committee on Defence, Wednesday 18th December 1985) if they do "not see the need for the British Government to pronounce upon the obligations of other states under this Treaty" (Ib).
§ The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Lord Trefgarne)Since our policy is to help maintain the ABM Treaty, it is appropriate for the Government to ensure that British participation in SDI research is consistent with the provisions of this treaty. That is different from pronouncing on the rights and obligations towards one another of the parties to a bilateral treaty.