Written Answers
Territorial Sea Limits In Nato Member States
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in the light of recent events in the Black Sea, they will ensure that the question of the breadth of the territorial sea is discussed within NATO (
Official Report, 6th July 1987, cols. 594–5); and whether they will seek agreement on the internationally agreed figure of 12 nautical miles.
The breadth of the territorial sea is for individual coastal states to determine in accordance with international law, which allows for a maximum limit of 12 nautical miles. There is no need for discussion of the question of member states' limits within NATO.
Strategic Defence Deployment
asked Her Majesty's Government:How, if "the effect on Britain's deterrent of deployed [strategic] defences is hypothetical" (Written Answer, Lord Glenarthur,
Official Report, 11th February col. 396) they can take the state of Soviet defences into account in their approach to participation in strategic arms control negotiations.
The earlier reply given to the noble Lord by my noble friend Lord Glenarthur assumed that the noble Lord was referring to the possibility of Soviet deployment of strategic defences beyond those currently permitted by the ABM Treaty. Such deployment is hypothetical because the feasibility of broad scale defences is unproven and the form which Soviet defence might take is uncertain. But of course we consider existing defences and known, planned alterations to them.
Euratom Treaty: Provision Of Information
asked Her Majesty's Government:What information has been provided to EURATOM and the EC Energy Commission under Article 104 of the Euratom Treaty.
The information requested is not readily available, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, we do not believe that the European Commission has ever requested information from the UK under this article.
Nuclear Warheads Removed Under Inf Treaty
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have agreed to the re-use for further deployment in Europe of nuclear warheads dismantled under the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Agreement from missiles based in this country.
The INF Treaty provides for the elimination of INF missiles, launchers and support equipment but not warheads. The US and Soviet Union may remove such warheads and, if they wish, convert them for use on other missiles. We are unaware of any US proposals to do so.
Civil Nuclear Material: Safeguards Against Non-Civil Use
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have withdrawn any civil nuclear material from safeguards against non-civil use under Article 14 of Cmnd. 6730 of 1977 and if so to what use such material has been diverted.
I refer the noble Lord to the answer given by my honourable friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad) to the honourable Member for Merionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) on 1st May 1986 at col. 458.
Nuclear Power Plants: Safeguards Inspections
asked Her Majesty's Government:What safeguards visits have been made since 1979 by IAEA or EURATOM Inspectors to nuclear power plants in the United Kingdom and whether they will list these in the
Official Report.
I refer the noble Lord to the answer given by my honourable friend the Member for Worcestershire South (Mr. Spicer) to the honourable Member for Newport West (Mr. Flynn) on 26th November 1987, at col. 279.
Interception Of Communications: Control
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in the light of the observations of the judge in the case of
Regina v. Anderson at the Luton Crown Court on 11th February 1988, they believe that the law gives sufficient protection to the privacy of the individual.
The Interception of Communications Act 1985 prohibits the intentional interception of communications transmitted by post or by means of a public telecommunication system other than when a warrant has been issued by the Secretary of State. The case mentioned resulted in convictions under the Act and custodial sentences, which does not suggest that the Act is failing to fulfil its purpose.