§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's position on recent proposals by China and Russia to the conference on disarmament for the control of weapons in outer space. [68188]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe UK recognises the importance China and Russia attach to international consideration of proposals for further controls on weapons in space. We have signed and ratified the outer space treaty and other treaties that place important limits on military activity in space, including a prohibition on the deployment of weapons of mass destruction. Space-based assets play a prominent role in security and military operations. While we do not wish to see a general ban on the military use of outer space, we would be ready to engage in further discussions of issues relating to the prevention of an arms race in outer space at the conference on disarmament.