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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Answer

Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what additional measures she proposes to take to implement the restraints in the (a) development, (b) testing and (c) spread of (i) missiles and (ii) space launch vehicles, in the new Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation. [83461] Mr. Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply. The United Kingdom subscribed to the International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (ICOC) on 25 November, which I announced to the House by means of a written Ministerial Statement today. Her Majesty's Government are already well placed to implement the undertakings in the Code. We already have strong measures in place for tackling the proliferation of ballistic missiles. The United Kingdom scrutinises export licence applications for any possible diversion of the goods to a missile programme of concern. We play an active part in the Missile Technology Control Regime, that co-ordinates national export controls on missile-related technology. Bilaterally, the United Kingdom encourages countries to show restraint in missile programmes and testing, emphasising the adverse effects they have on regional stability. In implementing the ICOC, in line with Part 4 of the Code, the United Kingdom will exchange with other subscribing states pre-launch notifications on ballistic missile and space launch vehicle launches and test flights. Also, in line with the Code we will share annual declarations on the United Kingdom's ballistic missile and satellite vehicle policies and launches.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

83461; 395 c221W;395 c220-1W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Codes of practice Nuclear weapons Proliferation Testing Missile Technology Control Regime Ballistic missile defence Guided weapons Space technology

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk