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Proliferation in ParliamentBack to Proliferation in Parliament, September - November 2007 Westminster ParliamentKey to House of Commons Column Numbering
Non-Proliferation and DisarmamentNuclear Disarmament, Written Answers, 27 Nov 2007, Column 348WJon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the UK voted against the resolution Towards a Nuclear-weapon-free World: Accelerating the Implementation of Nuclear Disarmament Commitments at the UN First Committee on Disarmament and International Security on 17 October 2007; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Jim Murphy: The United Kingdom abstained on rather than voted against this resolution at the UN General Assembly's First Committee. The resolution contained a great deal that we would have been happy to endorse. However, we remained unable to support the text because it gave no recognition to the significant nuclear disarmament achievements of most nuclear weapons states since the end of the cold war. We made this clear in an oral explanation given at the time of the vote, which will be deposited in the Library of the House. Nuclear Test Ban, Written Answers, 27 Nov 2007, Column 348WMark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to encourage the governments of (a) China, (b) India and (c) the USA to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Dr. Howells: China and the US signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban treaty (CTBT) in 1996 but have not yet ratified it. India has neither signed nor ratified the treaty. The United Kingdom strongly supports the earliest possible entry into force of the CTBT. We continue to take every appropriate opportunity, both bilaterally and through the EU, to urge all states who have not yet done so to sign and/or ratify the CTBT without delay and without condition. We most recently took action with India in April 2007, with the US in September 27 Nov 2007 : Column 349W 2007, and agreed EU action with China in November 2007. The UK also continues to support the outreach activities of Ambassador Ramaker, the Special Representative of the ratifiers of the treaty, staff of the Provisional Technical Secretariat and the Executive Secretary of the CTBT. In addition, the UK actively participates in the annual events held under the provisions of article XIV of the treaty to facilitate entry into force. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Written Answers, 26 Nov 2007, Column 223WMr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what preparations have been made for the Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference talks in 2010, what role he expects the European Union will play in these talks; and if he will make a statement. David Miliband: The United Kingdom strongly supports the European Union’s Common Position of strengthening the three key pillars—non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful use of nuclear technology—of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT). EU member states played an important role in the positive outcome to this year’s NPT Preparatory Committee. We will continue to work closely with European Union partners to achieve success in the new non-proliferation treaty (NPT) review cycle. Nuclear Weapons: Treaties, Written Answers, 22 Nov 2007, Column 1033WMr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to support the establishment of a nuclear weapons convention; and if he will make a statement. Des Browne: The UK considers the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) to be the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and the framework for nuclear disarmament. Terrorism: Nuclear Weapons, Written Answers, 12 Nov 2007, Column 10WMark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to amend the Terrorism Act 2000 to include the use of radiological weapons in the list of weapons and substances that fall within the scope of the Act. Mr. McNulty: We keep all of our legislation under review and the issue of whether to include radiological weapons in the list of weapons and substances that fall within the scope of the Terrorism Act 2000 is currently being considered. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: Scotland, Written Answers, 30 Oct 2007, Column 1320WGordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received any representation from the Scottish Executive on it being represented by Scottish Ministers on an observer basis at future Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty discussions. Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not received any such representations. Under the Scotland Act 1998, Foreign Affairs including International Relations, are a reserved matter. Defence is also a matter reserved by the Scotland Act. Scotland is an integral part of the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom is a State Party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Scotland is not eligible therefore for separate observer status. UN General Assembly: Nuclear Disarmament, Written Answers, 25 Oct 2007, Column 595WDr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what level his Department is represented at the ongoing 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly; what proposals the UK will present before the committee dealing with nuclear disarmament; and if he will make a statement. Dr. Howells: The United Kingdom is represented at the United Nations General Assembly First Committee by John Duncan, our ambassador for Multilateral Arms Control and Disarmament and Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament at Geneva. Ambassador Duncan is supported by colleagues based in Geneva, New York and London. Within First Committee the UK traditionally makes common statements with our 25 Oct 2007 : Column 596W EU partners. Accordingly, the EU delivered a statement in the nuclear weapons debate on 17 October this year. The EU reiterated its support for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament in accordance with article VI of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and stressed the need for an overall reduction of the global stockpile of nuclear weapons, in particular by those countries which possess the largest arsenals. The EU urged all states to sign and ratify the comprehensive nuclear-test ban treaty without delay and to begin negotiation without preconditions on a fissile material cut-off treaty in the conference on disarmament. The EU also called on all states concerned to take appropriate practical measures in order to reduce the risk of accidental nuclear war. Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK will make a statement at the United Nations General Assembly on (a) the operating status of nuclear weapons, (b) renewed determination towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons and (c) the World Nuclear Weapons convention; and if he will make a statement. Dr. Howells: Within the United Nations General Assembly First Committee the UK traditionally makes common statements with our EU partners. Accordingly, the EU delivered a statement in the nuclear weapons debate on 17 October this year. The EU reiterated its support for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament in accordance with article VI of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and stressed the need for an overall reduction of the global stockpile of nuclear weapons, in particular by those countries which possess the largest arsenals. The EU also called on all states concerned to take appropriate practical measures in order to reduce the risk of accidental nuclear war. There are a number of resolutions that will be voted upon during the First Committee that relate to the issues raised. The possibility of the UK delivering a national explanation of vote on some of these resolutions is currently being considered. Nuclear Weapons, Written Answers, September 12, 2007, Column 2103WJeremy Corbyn: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with President Bush concerning the location of US missile sites in Czech Republic and Poland; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Prime Minister whether he put proposals to the US president on (a) implementing the 13 practical steps towards disarmament agreed at the 2000 NPT Review Conference, (b) ratifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and (c) supporting the model Nuclear Weapons Convention during his recent visit; and if he will make a statement. Adam Price: To ask the Prime Minister whether he and President Bush discussed Israel joining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear weapons state; and if he will make a statement. Hywel Williams: To ask the Prime Minister (1) whether he put proposals to President Bush on creating a Middle East Nuclear Weapons Free Zone during his recent visit; and if he will make a statement; (2) whether he put proposals to President Bush on NATO's (a) nuclear doctrine, (b) nuclear sharing agreement and (c) nuclear first strike policy during his recent visit; and if he will make a statement. The Prime Minister: It is not the practice of the Government to make public details of all discussions with foreign Governments. Back to Proliferation in Parliament, September - November 2007 © 2007 The Acronym Institute. |