§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they are taking to ensure the continued effectiveness of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. [HL1060]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanHer Majesty's Government continue to work towards the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The UK's commitment to the CTBT will be further demonstrated on 11 November when the Foreign Secretary will address the second Article XIV Conference on Entry into Force in New York.
Since the first Entry into Force Conference in 1999, the UK has, bilaterally and with others, lobbied over 70 countries which have not yet signed and/or ratified the treaty. There are presently 161 signatories to the Treaty, of which 84 have ratified. Of the 44 so-called Annex 2 states, whose ratification of the treaty is required for entry into force, 31 have now ratified.
Her Majesty's Government also ensure the continued effectiveness of the treaty by paying their contributions to the Preparatory Commission in full and on time and by providing experts for treaty organisations, including the negotiation of arrangements for on-site inspections.
We also participate in the verification regime by facilitating the timely construction and installation of stations on UK territory. The UK also supports the work of the Provisional Technical Secretariat more generally, including supporting a realistic budget which allows the momentum of the setting up of the verification regime to be sustained.