To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is in response to President Putin's suggestion at the G8 summit that a ballistic missile defence system could be based in Azerbaijan. (142801)

President Putin's offer to include the radar at Qabala in Azerbaijan in the US ballistic missile system is a policy issue for the United States government and is subject to the agreement of the government of Azerbaijan. The UK, however, welcomes this constructive Russian approach; and welcomes the US's continuing commitment to discuss with Russia its co-operation in their ballistic missile system.