§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what bilateral discussions with(a) Canada and (b) Denmark there have been on developing criteria for the formulation of a decision on National Missile Defence. [126957]
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§ Mr. VazWe have had a number of discussions with the Canadian and Danish Governments—both bilaterally, and in NATO—on US National Missile Defence plans.
These discussions have not included the development of criteria for a decision on National Missile Defence. It is for the United States to decide whether or not to proceed with deployment of a US National Missile Defence system. The US Administration have said that such a decision would be made by the President on the basis of four criteria, namely: the threat; costs; technological feasibility; and wider international implications, including for arms control.