Written question asked by Michael Colvin (Conservative) on Monday, 29 June 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 July 1998. It was answered by Tony Lloyd (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 July 1998 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will promote the proposition of an international treaty against missile proliferation. - Inc ref to 16 June 1998, 314 c196-7W.

Answer: Mr. Colvin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will promote the proposition of an international treaty against missile proliferation. [48303] Mr. Tony Lloyd: Members of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), of which the UK is a founder member, discussed the merits of an international treaty against missile proliferation in September 1995. They concluded that there were insuperable difficulties in achieving such a treaty. These included the gaining of a widespread international agreement, reaching consensus to determine which missile systems should be controlled by the treaty, and achieving a credible multilateral verification process. The UK remains committed to tackling missile non-proliferation through the MTCR as outlined in the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 16 June 1998, Official Report, columns 196-97.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 315 c509W; 48303
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Arms control Proliferation Treaties Missile Technology Control Regime Guided weapons