§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government policy towards the retention, by any other country, of a minimum offensive chemical weapon capability in the aftermath of a chemical weapon convention being concluded.
§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's assessment as to the implications for the chemical weapon convention talks of the United States' policy to retain a limited stockpile of chemical weapons after a chemical weapon convention has been signed.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIt is envisaged in the negotiations in Geneva for a chemical weapons convention that there will be a transition period following the entry into force of the treaty. During this period any chemical weapons stocks possessed by states parties will be destroyed. President Bush's proposal at the United Nations General Assembly for retention of a small stockpile until all CW-capable states are party to the convention is not inconsistent with this.