§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he now plans to follow up his signature of the chemical weapons convention in Paris in 1993; what legislation is necessary to implement the United Kingdom's commitments under the convention; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe intend to ratify the chemical weapons convention—CWC—as soon as the necessary implementing legislation is in place. The legislation's main elements will be rights of entry and immunity for Organisation in the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons inspectors, requirements for industry declarations and creation of offences in respect of non-compliance with the CWC. We will introduce legislation as soon as parliamentary time becomes available.