§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to the United Nations Security Council concerning improved intelligence-gathering procedures in world-wide nuclear proliferation.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has made no representations to the United Nations Security Council on this issue.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to the Government of North Korea regarding obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI have been asked to reply.
706WMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no personal contacts with representatives of North Korea. The United Kingdom continues to stress in international forums the importance we attach to North Korea abiding by her obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. We also did so in talks with North Korean officials in June.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make representations to the United Nations Security Council to ensure that the non-proliferation regime is based on the possession of nuclear explosive materials as distinct from completed nuclear devices.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI have been asked to reply.
There is no need for such a step. The treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons represents the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime and the obligations it places on states parties cover both nuclear devices and nuclear materials.