HL Deb 31 May 1995 vol 564 cc78-9WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they interpret their agreements with the United States concerning Ascension Island and Diego Garcia as permitting the US Government to use the facilities they occupy on those islands for the purposes of pre-emptive counter-proliferation, as envisaged in the Defense Counter-proliferation Initiative announced by US Secretary of Defence Les Aspen in December 1993 and since elaborated by members of the US Government.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The use of the facilities on Ascension Island and Diego Garcia is governed by the agreements and exchanges of notes to which the noble Lord refers and which are available in the treaty series.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will now discuss with the Australian and other Indian Ocean Governments the uses being made of Diego Garcia, and any possible expansion of those uses to include "floating arsenals" or counter-proliferation systems and equipment, particularly in view of the global range intended for the United States Defense Counter-proliferation Initiative.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The use of the facilities on Diego Garcia is governed by the various exchanges of notes between the United Kingdom and the United States which are published in the treaty series. No other governments are concerned.