§ 37. Mr. SavidgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to promote global nuclear disarmament; and if he will make a statement. [69458]
§ Mr. Tony LloydThe Government set out their approach to nuclear disarmament in the Strategic Defence Review in July 1998. We intend to be a constructive actor in the nuclear disarmament process, using our influence to move it forward where we can. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence set out in his Parliamentary answer of 2 November 1998,Official Report, columns 414–15, the steps this Government have already taken in this area.
The highest priorities now are promoting the ratification of START II by the Russian Duma; securing entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; and the negotiation of a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty.