HC Deb 11 December 1989 vol 163 cc497-8W
Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the continued production of chemical weapons under the terms of a chemical weapons convention.

Mr. Waldegrave

The draft chemical weapons convention under negotiation in Geneva would prohibit the production of chemical weapons immediately upon the convention's entry into force. The United Kingdom neither produces nor possesses chemical weapons.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have begun work on enabling legislation with regard to the implementation of a chemical weapons convention.

Mr. Waldegrave

The likely requirements for national legislation are assessed continuously as the draft chemical weapons convention is developed. It would be premature to start trying to draft such legislation at present, however, since some complex issues, including verification, remain to be resolved.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will consider enlisting the assistance of any non-governmental organisations with the work of a national authority established under a chemical weapons convention.

Mr. Waldegrave

The work of the national authorities which it is envisaged would be established under a chemical weapons convention will cover a wide range of issues, reflecting the complexity of such an agreement. In this context, the specific expertise of organisations, such as the UK Chemical Industries Association, which we already consult closely, will be particularly valuable.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether signatories to a chemical weapons convention would still be able to reserve the right to retaliate in kind if subject to chemical attack, under the terms of the present draft chemical weapons convention;

(2) whether, under the terms of article XII of the draft chemical weapons convention, Her Majesty's Government will reserve the right to retaliate in kind if subject to chemical attack as presently permitted under the terms of the Geneva protocol, 1925.

Mr. Waldegrave

The relationship between a chemical weapons convention and existing international instruments concerning chemical weapons, such as the 1925 Geneva protocol, is a complex issue which is under consideration at the negotiations in Geneva. The current draft is not specific on the point raised.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the draft of the chemical weapons convention prohibits the continued production of chemical weapons once the convention has been concluded.

Mr. Waldegrave

The current draft envisages the cessation of chemical weapon production upon entry into force of the convention.

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