HC Deb 04 April 2000 vol 347 cc408-9W
Dr. Starkey

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations his Department has had over the implications of the American proposals for a national missile defence system with the Governments of(a) Denmark, (b) Canada, (c) other EU member states, (d) Russia, (e) China and (f) other countries. [116727]

Mr. Vaz

We have discussed issues relating to the United States' proposals for National Missile Defence with a range of countries, including all those individually mentioned, in the course of regular consultations on security-related issues.

Dr. Starkey

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the implications for Britain of agreeing to the use of facilities in the United Kingdom as part of the US national missile defence system. [116726]

Mr. Vaz

We have received no request to this effect, nor would we expect any until after a US decision on whether or not to proceed with deployment of such a system. If the US were to ask for our assistance we would examine any such request carefully, taking account of the implications for the UK.

Dr. Starkey

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had, and when, with representatives of the US Government about American plans for a national missile defence system. [116724]

Mr. Vaz

We have discussed, and continue to discuss many aspects of National Missile Defence with the United States across a range of Government Departments, on many occasions. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the issue with Mrs. Albright when he visited Washington in February.

Dr. Starkey

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the implications for(a) arms control and (b) the forthcoming conference on review of the Non-Proliferation Treaty of the proposed US national missile defence system. [116725]

Mr. Vaz

The US made clear that the President will not decide on NMD deployment before the summer at the earliest, and that there is a range of complex issues, including the need to preserve strategic stability, that they need to consider beforehand.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings Ministers in his Department have held with members and officials of the United States Government to discuss the proposed US plan to deploy a national missile defence system since 1 January 1999; when each meeting took place; where each meeting took place; which Ministers were involved at each meeting; which members and officials of the United States Government attended each meeting; and from which United States Government Department they were drawn. [117061]

Mr. Vaz

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes, South-west (Dr. Starkey) today,Official Report, column 408W, in response to her question, ref. 116724.