§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will refuse to cooperate with the United States government in their National Missile Defence policy. [HL3836]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe US Administration has not asked for Her Majesty's Government's agreement to make use of facilities in the UK for National Missile Defence purposes. Her Majesty's Government do not expect to receive any such request until and unless President Clinton's successor decides to proceed with the deployment of such a system.
We have made clear that we would give any such request careful consideration in the light of the circumstances in which it was put to us.
§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will request the United States government to abandon their National Missile Defence policy on the ground of hostility to the project by and within NATO countries. [HL3837]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalHer Majesty's Government have conveyed their views on the possible deployment of a National Missile Defence system to the US Administration in numerous recent bilateral and multilateral discussions, as have other NATO allies.
Our views, and those of other allies, are well understood in Washington—as President Clinton made clear in announcing on 1 September his decision to leave a decision on the deployment of any such system to his successor.