Written question asked by Mark Lazarowicz (Labour) on Thursday, 22 November 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 November 2007. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 November 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Nuclear Test Ban

Question: 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.

Answer: 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 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.

Secondary information