Written question asked by Alan Simpson (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 November 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 November 2001. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 November 2001 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 make a statement on the effectiveness of existing international efforts to prevent ballistic missile proliferation, with particular reference to the MTCR; and what international plans there are to strengthen these efforts.

Answer: Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of existing international efforts to prevent ballistic missile proliferation, with particular reference to the MTCR; and what international plans there are to strengthen these efforts. [15642] Mr. Bradshaw: The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) has done a good job in countering the proliferation of missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction through the co-ordination of the export controls of its 33 members. But it is not comprehensive in its membership or scope. The UK has therefore been active in the development of an International Code of Conduct (ICOC) against Ballistic Missile Proliferation. A draft text was agreed by MTCR members at their plenary meeting in Ottawa in September 2001, and will now be opened for wider negotiation. We hope the Code will become a universally accepted international agreement establishing global standards of practice in an area where currently there are none.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 375 c185W;375 c187W; 15642
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Arms control International cooperation Nuclear weapons Missile Technology Control Regime Ballistic missile defence Guided weapons
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk