|
Proliferation in ParliamentBack to Proliferation in Parliament, Winter 2008 Westminster ParliamentArms Control and Disarmament
Nuclear Disarmament, Written Answers, 16 Dec 2008 : Column 581WMr. Dai Davies: To ask the Prime Minister what matters concerning nuclear disarmament initiatives were discussed at his meeting with President Sarkozy of France on 8 December 2008. The Prime Minister: I discussed a wide range of issue with President Sarkozy. I refer the hon. Member to the press conference I held with President Barroso and President Sarkozy on 8 December. A transcript is available on the No. 10 website: http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page17733 A copy of this page has been placed in the Library of the House. Nuclear Fuels, Written Answers, 25 Nov 2008 : Column 1206WMr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the UK has taken in the last 12 months to conclude an international agreement on a mechanism for reliable access to nuclear fuel under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency. David Miliband: The UK, Germany and the Netherlands co-hosted
an international conference on 17-18 April to bring together supplier
and customer states to discuss this issue. The UK will host a further
conference next year. The UK is currently working with the presidency
of the EU to agree the conditions for an EU contribution to a nuclear
fuel bank administered by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Steps are also being taken to finalise the UK's Enrichment Bond proposal
and we expect to take this to the IAEA early next year. Nuclear Disarmament, Written Answers, 19 Nov 2008 : Column 503WMr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the implications for UK nuclear weapons policy of the speech by the United Nations Secretary-General on 24 October 2008 on the importance of nuclear disarmament and security in a nuclear weapons-free world. Mr. Hutton: I welcome the contribution to the debate on multilateral
nuclear disarmament made by Mr. Ban in his speech to the East-West Institute
in New York on 24 October and, specifically, his acknowledgment of the
UK’s leading role. It is important that all states work together to create
the security environment conducive to further multilateral disarmament,
leading ultimately to a world free of nuclear weapons. This would include
zero tolerance on instances of proliferation. Nuclear Proliferation, Written Answers, 11 Nov 2008 : Column 1061WDr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on future negotiations on nuclear proliferation. Bill Rammell: We are committed to a successful Non-Proliferation
Treaty Review Conference in 2010, and will work to promote consensus around
key measures to strengthen the treaty’s three pillars. These include zero
tolerance of proliferation; a clear forward plan on multilateral nuclear
disarmament and supporting the right to the safe, secure and peaceful
use of nuclear energy. Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, Written Answers, 11 Nov 2008 : Column 1064WMr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the proposal made by the Australian 11 Nov 2008 : Column 1065W Government to the United Nations General Assembly First Committee on 15 October 2008 on the global non-proliferation regime in the period running up to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in 2010. Bill Rammell: The United Kingdom shares Australia’s commitment
to strengthening the non-proliferation treaty (NPT) and to a successful
NPT Review Conference in 2010. The Prime Minister has written to Prime
Minister Rudd welcoming the establishment of the International Commission
on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament and the appointment of Baroness
Williams of Crosby as a Commissioner. We share the objective of making
substantive progress on nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful
uses of nuclear energy. Conventional Forces Europe Treaty, Written Answers, 5 Nov 2008 : Column 480WMr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the (a) status and (b) effectiveness of the Conventional Forces Europe Treaty. 5 Nov 2008 : Column 481W Mr. Hutton [holding answer 3 November 2008]: The United Kingdom, along with NATO allies, continues to honour all our obligations under the treaty on conventional armed forces in Europe (CFE) although Russia suspended its participation on 12 December 2007. With NATO allies, we therefore continue to promote engagement with Russia with a view to reaching an agreed way forward. Russia's actions in Georgia have called into question its commitment to the principles on which stability and security in Europe are based, principles which underpin the CFE regime. Nevertheless, with NATO allies, we remain firmly committed to the CFE treaty and wish to achieve the earliest possible entry into force of the Agreement on Adaptation. The CFE treaty has enabled the unprecedented provision for information
exchanges, on-site inspections (over 4 000 on-site inspections have been
conducted) and on-site monitoring of the destruction of above limit equipment.
It has reduced military capability across the treaty area (60,000 items
of treaty limited equipment have been destroyed or removed from its area
of application) and it has reduced the potential for surprise attack in
the treaty area. The resulting transparency measures underpin European
confidence and security building efforts. Arms Trade, Written Anwers, 30 Oct 2008 : Column 1229WJohn Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the establishment of common international standards for the export, import and transfer of conventional arms. Bill Rammell: I have been asked to reply. The Government are strongly in favour of establishing common international standards for the export, import and transfer of conventional arms. That is why the UK has taken an international lead in establishing an Arms Trade treaty (ATT). Together with six other countries, we have been pressing for such a treaty to be agreed at the UN. At this year’s First Committee of the UN General Assembly, the UK has co-authored a resolution proposing further work at the UN in 2009 aimed at establishing an ATT. Achieving an ATT is a complex process, which will take time, but we have made good progress, and we will continue to work actively towards achieving our goal. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary launched a new phase of the
UK’s campaign towards an ATT by hosting a meeting of key stakeholders
from industry, civil society, academia and the media in London on 9 September.
In addition, I hosted a briefing on 9 October for the London-based Diplomatic
Corps setting out the Government’s support for an ATT and encouraging
active international engagement in the UN process. Cluster Munitions, Written Answers, 23 Oct 2008 : Column 475WRoger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Government have to ratify the Convention on cluster munitions within the next 12 months. Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The UK plans to sign the Convention when it
opens for signature on 3 December 2008 in Oslo and will ratify as soon
as feasible after that date. Nuclear Disarmament, Written Answers, 23 Oct 2008 : Column 476WMr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Government is taking to promote multilateral nuclear disarmament. Mr. Hutton: The UK plays an active role in all international fora and treaties related to multilateral nuclear disarmament. In particular, we are working to reinforce and strengthen the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. We are pressing for the start of negotiation without pre-conditions in the Conference on Disarmament on a Fissile Material Cut-Off treaty and we continue to call all on all States that have not yet ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty to do so, especially those nine for which entry into force is required. We are also playing a leading and innovative role in several new initiatives. Along with Norway and the non-governmental organisation VERTIC, we are undertaking research into possible technologies which may be of potential use in any future multilateral 23 Oct 2008 : Column 477W disarmament treaty or regime. We have offered to host a confidence building
and technical conference between the five Nuclear Weapon States to discuss
the issues surrounding multilateral nuclear disarmament. We have co-sponsored
a major report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies on
the technical and political requirements for a world free of nuclear weapons
published in August 2008. Nuclear Weapons, Written Answers, 22 Oct 2008 : Column 388WMr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) the United States and (b) Russia on the respective proposals in each country to modernise their nuclear weapons programme and the compatibility of such modernisation with obligations under Article 6 of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. Bill Rammell: We regularly discuss with the United States and
Russia the importance of action to reinforce the nuclear non-proliferation
treaty, including through demonstration of our commitment to Article VI.
Under their bilateral strategic arms control arrangements, by 2012 both
countries will have reduced their total stockpiles of strategic nuclear
warheads by around 80 per cent. since the end of the cold war. We have
welcomed that progress, and encouraged both countries to reduce their
nuclear arsenals even further in due course. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Written Anwers, 6 Oct 2008 : Column 229WJeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals his Department will put forward at the 2009 Preparatory Committee Meeting of the 2010 Review Conference on the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty; and if he will make a statement. Dr. Howells [holding answer 17 September 2008]: The UK will work intensively with international partners before, at and after the 2009 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Preparatory Committee to identify areas of convergence that can form the basis of a successful outcome to the 2010 NPT Review Conference. In particular we will submit proposals to strengthen the NPT in all its aspects, promoting zero tolerance of proliferation, upholding the rights of all States party to the NPT to benefit from the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and reinvigorating the commitment of NPT Nuclear Weapons States to nuclear disarmament. Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the effects of the recent decision by the Nuclear Suppliers Group to support a nuclear agreement between the USA and India on the operation of Article Two of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; and if he will make a statement. Dr. Howells [holding answer 17 September 2008]: We assess that the decision by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to allow an exemption for India to the NSG guidelines will not have any effect on the operation of article II of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Article II prohibits the transfer of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices; the NSG exemption for India does not allow for such transfers. Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to encourage India to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; and if he will make a statement. 6 Oct 2008 : Column 230W Dr. Howells [holding answer 17 September 2008]: Universalisation
of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) is a long-standing UK objective.
The UK regularly calls on India to accede to the NPT as a non-nuclear
weapon state. This is a message we convey both publicly and privately. Atomic Weapons Establishment, Written Answers, 6 Oct 2008 : Column 247WMr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on taking forward the disarmament laboratory initiative at AWE Aldermaston; what the total budget allocated to the project is; how many staff are working on the project; and what security clearance is required for project participants. Mr. Hutton: The “disarmament laboratory” initiative is not a discrete AWE project but rather a concept under which the UK is trying to move the disarmament agenda forward as a whole. AWE's contribution to the “disarmament laboratory” is being conducted under the Arms Control Verification Research programme. This research programme started in April 2000 and the total spend is forecast to exceed £3 million by the end of FY08-09. Within AWE a dedicated team of five staff form the core of the Arms Control Verification Research programme. This team draws on experts and resources from other 6 Oct 2008 : Column 248W AWE programme areas as well as wider government. In order to fully understand
the implications of potential verification technologies some of the research
is UK only and remains classified; staff working on this research are
appropriately security cleared. The joint research with Norway and the
non-governmental organisation VERTIC carries no proliferation risk and
is unclassified; special security clearances are not required. Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty, Written Answers, 6 Oct 2008 : Column 260WMr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evaluation was made of the compatibility with the United Kingdom obligations under Article 1 of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when deciding to invite Norway to participate as a non-nuclear state party to the NPT in the disarmament laboratory project on nuclear warhead dismantlement at AWE Aldermaston. 6 Oct 2008 : Column 261W Mr. Hutton: The joint research between the UK's Atomic Weapons
Establishment, several Norwegian laboratories and the non-governmental
organisation VERTIC on the verification of warhead dismantlement is being
conducted in full accord with the mutual obligations under Articles I
and II of the NPT. The underlying aim of the research is to investigate,
under a hypothetical future verification regime, what technical evidence
and assurances could be demonstrated to third parties without undermining
national security or releasing proliferation sensitive information. The
research is specifically designed to examine issues of verification while
avoiding the use of sensitive design information or materials; constraints,
necessarily levied by the NPT, that inspired the initiative. Nuclear Security Project, EDM No.2053, 16 July 2008Arbuthnot, James That this House welcomes both the Nuclear Security Project, launched in the US by Henry Kissinger, George Schultz, William Perry and Sam Nunn, and its endorsement by Lord Hurd, Lord Owen, Lord Robertson and the right hon. Member for Kensington and Chelsea in a recent Times article; notes the encouragement to promote not only such dialogue but practical steps towards nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, both from Senators John McCain and Barack Obama; recognises the contributions made to these discussions by Ministers from governments, such as that of Russia as well as the UK; and calls on the UK Government to stimulate and support further developments which enhance the prospects for non-proliferation and a fresh drive for nuclear disarmament and commits itself to seek broad cross-party agreement on promoting this agenda. A full list of signatories is available at: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx? Back to Proliferation in Parliament, Winter 2008 © 2009 The Acronym Institute. |