§ Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's GovernmentWhether any British firms are participating in the testing or manufacture of the Exoatmospheric Reentry-vehicle Interceptor Subsystem under the American strategic defence initiative, or in any analysis of its possible use or deployment either in a "theatre" or a point defence situation, and in any case whether in their view the proposed flight test of ERIS in early 1990 is permitted under the ABM treaty, strictly interpreted.
§ The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Lord Trefgarne)No British firm is known to be participating in the test or manufacture of the Exoatmospheric Reentry-vehicle Interceptor Subsystem at this stage. The European architecture study has considered a range of options for ballistic missile defence system components in the European threatre, including an interceptor of the ground-based exoatmospheric type. As to the permissibility under the ABM treaty of a flight test of ERIS, the United Kingdom Government has no locus in pronouncing on interpretation of the treaty. But the US Government has made repeatedly clear that the SDI will be conducted in accordance with US obligations under the Treaty.