asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will make it their policy to declare a moratorium on nuclear testing, subject to super power compliance, as a first step to the signing of a comprehensive test ban treaty.

No. The problems involved in ensuring adequate compliance with a moratorium on nuclear testing would be at least as great as in the case of a comprehensive test ban. As I told the House on 7 June, during the adjournment debate, we continue to seek real progress towards a comprehensive test ban. As recently as 11 July, we tabled an important working paper on the subject at the Geneva Conference on Disarmament

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards the proposal from the Soviet Union for a nuclear weapons testing moratorium to start on 6 August; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Meirionydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) on 8 May.