HL Deb 13 March 2000 vol 610 cc178-9WA
Lord Jenkins, of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they share the reported doubts of other NATO countries as to the legality of the proposed United States National Missile Defence system. [HL1310]

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale

The reported doubts to which my noble friend refers have been raised in relation to the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. The interpretation of that treaty is a matter for the parties to it. The United Kingdom is not a party to that treaty, but we hope that the discussions now in progress between the United States and Russia will ultimately reach a successful conclusion.