§ Lord Lloyd-Webberasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which countries in the Middle East, other than Iraq, have weapons of mass destruction. [HL1685]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe have for some time had concerns about the ambitions of a number of countries in the Middle East to acquire or produce weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
We continue to urge Israel to resolve international concerns about its nuclear programme by acceding to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear weapons state.
84WAIn the past, we have made public statements of concern about reports that Libya, Syria and Iran are pursuing programmes for the development of WMD and the means for their delivery.
We regularly urge all states in the region to sign and ratify all the treaties and conventions covering the development of weapons of mass destruction.
§ Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bayasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their current definition of weapons of mass destruction. [HL1728]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThere is no universally accepted definition of the phrase "weapons of mass destruction", but it is generally held to refer to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.
§ Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bayasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they believe that Egypt possesses weapons of mass destruction. [HL1729]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe have no evidence to suggest that Egypt possesses weapons of mass destruction.
§ Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bayasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they believe that Iran possesses weapons of mass destruction. [HL1730]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThere have been long-standing concerns about Iran's ambitions to pursue a nuclear weapons programme.
We regularly urge all states to sign and ratify all the treaties and conventions covering the development of weapons of mass destruction.
The United Kingdom has consistently supported resolutions at the United Nations calling for the creation of a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction.
§ Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bayasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they believe that Israel possesses weapons of mass destruction. [HL1731]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe regularly urge Israel to resolve international concerns about its nuclear status by acceding to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear weapons state and to enter into a full safeguards agreement with the IAEA. We also use our regular bilateral contacts with them to raise the issue of Israeli accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.
The UK has consistently supported resolutions in the United Nations calling for the establishment of a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction.
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§ Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bayasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they believe that Saudi Arabia possesses weapons of mass destruction. [HL1732]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe have no evidence to suggest that Saudi Arabia possesses weapons of mass destruction.