Ballistic Missile Defence

HL Deb 08 November 1995 vol 566 c15WA

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will go no further in collaborating with the US Ballistic Missile Defence Organisation until they have laid before Parliament a full assessment of the political, strategic and economic implications for Britain and Europe (including implications for sovereignty) of the US Defense Counter-proliferation Initiative, in which ballistic missile defences deployed by Allied forces represent a central strategic and financial element.

Earl Howe

The US Counter-proliferation Initiative is a national US initiative in which the UK has no direct involvement. Collaboration on ballistic missile defence research with the US is carried out under the terms of the 1985 Strategic Defence Initiative Memorandum of Understanding; this is planned to continue. The UK is at present undertaking its own national ballistic missile defence pre-feasibility study, which, together with associated studies, will inform policy in this area. In addition, the UK is active in discussion of ballistic missile defence issues both bilaterally with allies, and in NATO fora.