Missile Defence System (Hansard, 27 July 2000)

§ Mr. Menzies Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have received from(a) EU countries, (b) the United States of America, (c) NATO partners, (d) Russia and (e) China, regarding US proposals for a national missile defence system since the test failure of the system's interceptor rocket on 8 July; and if he will make a statement. [132366]

§ Mr. Vaz
The Government continue to consult with the United States and with other allies, both bilaterally and in NATO, on US National Missile Defence plans. We also continue to discuss the issue bilaterally with Russia and China.
The outcome of the latest test will no doubt be carefully considered in any assessment the US Administration makes this year of the technological feasibility of proceeding with the deployment of such a system.

§ Mr. Menzies Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made regarding the likelihood of an initial nuclear strike on(a) countries of the EU and (b) the United States of America by (i) North Korea, (ii) Libya and (iii) Iran; and if he will make a statement. [132370]

§ Mr. Vaz
Our current assessment is that there is no significant threat that North Korea, Libya or Iran might use nuclear weapons against the UK in present circumstances. We continue to monitor developments in this area closely.
It is not for us to make such assessments in respect of other countries.