Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention

HC Deb 19 January 1998 vol 304 cc431-2W

Mr. Livingstone

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what work is being carried out by his Department to support the negotiations to strengthen the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. [22509]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

This Department is working closely with the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Trade and Industry in support of international efforts to establish a legally binding Protocol to strengthen compliance with the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. Our officials lead the UK delegation at these negotiations in Geneva and chair the key sessions on compliance measures. They also pay a key role in consultation within the European Union on these issues. One of the priorities for our EU Presidency is to promote decisive progress in the negotiations in 1998.