§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy towards lowering the range and payload criteria for ballistic missiles under the terms of the missile technology control regime; what consideration he has given to the transfer of any items from category I to category II of that regime; and what is his policy towards establishing confidence and security building measures as a means of strengthening the regime.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe missile technology control regime parameters were established to combat the proliferation of delivery systems for nuclear weapons. We would need to look carefully at any proposal to change those parameters. We and our partners in the missile technology regime keep the equipment and technology annexe under constant review. We are also seeking to strengthen the regime through expanded membership and enhanced and harmonised implementation.