Non-proliferation Treaty (Hansard, 13 December 1994)

§ Mr. Robin Cook
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to seek a consensus decision on the extension of the non-proliferation treaty at next year's extension conference.

§ Mr. Hurd
We will be seeking an indefinite and unconditional extension of the non-proliferation treaty. We would welcome it if that decision could be achieved by consensus.

§ Mr. Robin Cook
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's assessment of the progress that has been made towards the achievement of the objectives of articles I and II of the non-proliferation treaty since its entry into force.

§ Mr. Hurd
We believe that there has been widespread compliance with both articles since the treaty entered into force in 1970. But we have at times been concerned about suspected nuclear weapons development programmes which would have been in breach of treaty obligations.

§ Mr. Robin Cook
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's assessment of the progress that has been made towards the achievement of the objectives of article IV of the non-proliferation treaty since its entry into force.

§ Mr. Hurd
We believe that there has been considerable progress towards the wide use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

§ Mr. Robin Cook
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment Her Majesty's Government have made of the compatibility of a significant increase in the capability of the United Kingdom's strategic nuclear forces with its obligation under article IV of the non-proliferation treaty.
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§ Mr. Hurd
The effect of recent changes to the. United Kingdom's nuclear forces will be to reduce the explosive power of our operational nuclear inventory by more than 25 per cent. below the 1990 level.