§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the case for continued sanctions against Iraq, even if it withdraws from Kuwait, to ensure that it is incapable of ever using its nuclear weapons; and if she will make a statement on her policy towards ensuring that other countries which have nuclear weapons do not use them.
§ The Prime MinisterWe have always enforced rigorously export controls pursuant to our obligations under the non-proliferation treaty—NPT—and shall continue to do so. In addition, for the last 10 years we have not sold any lethal weapons to Iraq. We shall need to consider what sanctions may need to be maintained once the present crisis is resolved, in the light of the circumstances then prevailing. As a depositary power of the NPT, the United Kingdom is a keen supporter of the principle of non-proliferation, and we take every suitable opportunity to encourage states not yet parties to the treaty to adhere to it and abide by its provisions.