§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have considered the effects on the international situation of new arms races in offensive strategic weapons, or in other asymmetrical (for example cyber-war) responses, that would result from the development of anti-ballistic missiles and from their deployment (a) in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Israel, Turkey or Greece or (b) in space. [HL739]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanHer Majesty's Government have indeed considered the implications of the development of anti-ballistic missile systems for strategic and regional stability. Such systems are, by definition, defensive in nature, though we recognise that they pose a complex set of issues.
We remain concerned about the development and potential proliferation of offensive systems, in particular of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and of the 232WA missiles that might be used to deliver them. We are working hard with out international partners to combat these threats.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have considered the economic, financial and strategic consequences for Britain and for Europe of the United States' recently-stated intention to develop anti-ballistic missile defences, and to abrogate the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in order to do so. [HL738]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanHer Majesty's Government take a close interest in the debate in the United States on the possible development of a national missile defence system, and its wider implications.
The United States Administration has made clear that no decision to deploy such a system has yet been taken, nor will it be before the year 2000; and that, if necessary, it would work in good faith with the Russian Government to negotiate amendments to the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will follow up Baroness Thatcher's approach to President Reagan at Camp David in 1984 when she obtained an undertaking that his administration would not breach the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty without consultation. [HL743]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanHer Majesty's Government have of course taken a close interest in the debate in the United States on the possible deployment of a national missile defence system.
The United States Government has made clear, both to us and in public, that no decision to deploy such a system has yet been taken, nor will it be before the year 2000; and that, if necessary, it would consult in good faith with the Russian Government with a view to negotiating amendments to the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have suggested to the United States that a reduction in the weapons systems deployed by Israel and seen by its neighbours as threatening (including weapons of mass destruction, space-derived targeting information and anti-ballistic missile defence systems), would discourage the development of similar capabilities by those neighbours. [HL740]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanHer Majesty's Government remain concerned by reports that Israel may have a nuclear weapons programme. We continue to urge Israel to accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in order to allay international suspicions about her nuclear activities. Israel has signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
We are aware that Israel possesses theatre anti-ballistic missile systems. But these are designed to defend Israel against missile attack—as was demonstrated during the Gulf War—and pose no offensive threat to her neighbours.
233WA
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the course of its attempt to insert into the revised NATO Strategic Concept the conditions laid down by the United States Senate, the United States Government is seeking from its NATO allies a commitment to the deployment and funding of strategic or theatre anti-ballistic missile systems. [HL741]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe United States Government has sought no such commitment from NATO allies in discussions on the revision of the alliance's strategic concept.
There have from time to time been discussions within NATO on the subject of theatre anti-ballistic missile systems.