§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are content for space to be "weaponised" and if not, what steps they are taking to discourage the United States from pursuing this objective.
§ Baroness Chalker of Wallasey:Both the United Kingdom and the United States are parties to the 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (the "Outer Space Treaty"). Article IV of the Treaty contains an undertaking not to place in orbit around the earth, install on the moon or any other celestial body, or otherwise station in outer space nuclear or any other weapons of mass destruction. It also limits the use of the moon and other celestial bodies exclusively to peaceful purposes and expressly prohibits their use for establishing military bases; testing weapons of any kind; or conducting military manoeuvres.