HL Deb 08 March 1995 vol 562 cc23-4WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether their announced intention to agree to the unlimited extension of the Non-Proliferation Treaty indicates that they are content that Israel should retain nuclear weapons and means for their delivery as long as it wishes.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey:

No. Our policy is to promote the widest possible adherence to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). We have urged Israel to allay suspicions about its nuclear activities by signing the NPT as a non-nuclear-weapon state and concluding a fullscope safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Indefinite extension of the NPT would send the strongest possible signal to non-states parties of the international community's commitment to nuclear non-proliferation.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In what circumstances they consider Article 4 of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which refers to the "inalienable right" of parties to the treaty to the civil use of nuclear energy, may be abrogated, and whether recent Israeli or other statements that Iran has a nuclear weapons programme, which have not been confirmed by the IAEA, can provide such circumstances.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey:

Article IV preserves the right of all states parties to the treaty to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in conformity with Articles I and II; in the case of non-nuclear-weapon states, Article II provides that they will not manufacture, or seek assistance in the manufacture, of nuclear weapons. Therefore concerns about a country's compliance with Articles I and II are a relevant factor in considering their position under Article IV.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether Lord Henley's statement (in reply to Lord Jenkins of Putney, 11th January 1995, H.L. Deb. col. 172) that "The proliferation of nuclear weapons outside such a stable deterrence system [as obtains in Europe] would pose great dangers" indicates that they would welcome the development of other nuclear deterrent capabilities in the Middle East to balance Israel's nuclear weapons; and, if not, why not.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey:

No. Our policy is to urge Israel to allay suspicions about its activities by acceding to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a non-nuclear-weapon state and concluding a full-scope safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. This is in line with our broader aim of containing the spread of nuclear weapons through promoting the widest possible adherence to the NPT.