HL Deb 29 April 1994 vol 554 cc54-5WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in their opinion the Security Council statement of 31 January 1992 can make lawful the preemptive use of force against any installation where there is reason to believe "weapons of mass destruction" are being developed or kept.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The statement referred to does not purport to have legal effect.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in their opinion the Security Council statement of 31 January 1992 can make lawful the preemptive use of force against those installations in North Korea that are by some alleged to be engaged in the construction of weapons of mass destruction, specifically nuclear weapons, or weapons grade plutonium.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The statement referred to does not purport to have legal effect.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the status in international law of the UN Security Council statement of 31 January 1992, in which it was declared that "the proliferation of all weapons of mass destruction constitutes a threat to international peace and security" and that ''on nuclear proliferation; … the members of the [Security] Council will take appropriate measures in the case of violations notified to them by the IAEA".

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The statement of 31 January 1992 made by the President of the Security Council on behalf of Council members was a summation of points discussed and agreed at the meeting, but was not designed to have legal effect.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in their opinion the Security Council statement of 31 January 1992 can make lawful the. preemptive use of force against those installations in Israel that are alleged to be engaged in the construction or deployment of weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear weapons.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The statement referred to does not purport to have legal effect.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the United States Administration is relying on the Security Council statement of 31 January 1992 or any similar UN Declaration to justify any military action it might wish to take, under its counter-proliferation policy, against any installation in any country that it deems is engaged in the production of weapons of mass destruction.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

It is not our practice to comment on the policies of other friendly governments.