HC Deb 14 July 1992 vol 211 cc585-6W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new initiatives on nuclear proliferation in European Political Cooperation are planned for the United Kingdom presidency of the European Council.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Preventing nuclear proliferation is high among our foreign policy objectives. During our presidency of EPC—European Political Co-operation— we shall work with partners to extend and reinforce the nuclear non-proliferation regime, in particular by working for further accessions to the non-proliferation treaty—NPT—and an indefinite extension to the treaty at the 1995 extension conference; a strengthened International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards regime; and stricter supplier controls on nuclear material and technology.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new initiatives are planned by (i) Her Majesty's Government and (ii) European political co-operation under the United Kingdom presidency of the European Council, in support of the declaration made at the Munich Group of Seven summit to combat nuclear proliferation and enhance safeguards on nuclear materials.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

We welcome the prominence given to non-proliferation in the political declaration of the Munich summit. During our presidency of EPC we shall work with other EC member states and with Group of Seven members to extend and reinforce the nuclear non-proliferation regime, in particular by working for further accessions to the NPT and an indefinite extension to the treaty at the 1995 extension conference; a strengthened IAEA safeguards regime; and stricter supplier controls on nuclear material and technology.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which states agreed upon the common list of nuclear goods and nuclear-related dual-use goods to be controlled by member states, when exported, referred to in paragraph 15 of the conclusions of the presidency on the European Council in Lisbon; and how long ago European Political Cooperation began its comparison of national policies on arms exports.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The 12 member states of the European Community agreed the common list of nuclear goods and nuclear-related dual-use goods. European Political Co-operation began its work on comparing national policies on arms exports during the first half of 1991.