Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 April 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 April 2000. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 April 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to President Putin of Russia in respect of his recent statements on the capacity of the Russian nuclear arsenal.

Answer: Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to President Putin of Russia in respect of his recent statements on the capacity of the Russian nuclear arsenal. [118495] Mr. Vaz: We have noted Acting President Putin's recent comments on the need for a reduced but more effective nuclear deterrent. We welcome his call for the early ratification of START II and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; and for early negotiations on the START III treaty. These issues were most recently discussed at senior official level during last month's annual UK-Russian strategic stability talks.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 348 c180W; 118495
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Deployment Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Nuclear weapons Nuclear disarmament Russia
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk