Written question asked by Lord Kennet (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 April 1996. It was answered by Baroness Chalker of Wallasey (Conservative) on Wednesday, 17 April 1996.

Chalker of Wallasey, RtHonBaroness

Question: Whether, in answering questions about the weaponsiation of space (14th and 26th February 1996) they quoted only Article IV of the 1967 Space Treaty, and not Article I which states that "the exploration and use of outer space... shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic and scientific development, and shall be the province of all mankind", because they hold that Article IV is not to be interpreted in the light of Article I but rather as limiting the pubplication of Article I, thereby allowing all military activity in space which is not cited in Article IV; and whether this interpretation is now and always has been accepted by the non superpower signatories.

Secondary information