HC Deb 09 March 1998 vol 308 c25W
Mr. Blunt

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make it her policy not to give development assistance to countries developing a ballistic missile capability and weapons of mass destruction which are not signatories to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. [33129]

Clare Short

This Government urge all countries which have not yet done so to accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. My Department takes account of a number of factors in deciding on aid allocations. A full, longer-term partnership will be established only with countries who are committed to the elimination of poverty and are pursuing appropriate economic, social, environmental and political policies. That includes partner countries not diverting limited resources into excessive military expenditure.