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Lord Kennet
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is the case that in the context of a contract won by Messrs. Plessey Aerospace for "operational equipment worth more than £300,000" the firm have "not been told for which type of SDI weapon the equipment was intended" (
The Times, 14th March 1988) and whether HMG can confirm that the "type of SDI weapon" is not in breach of the ABM treaty as strictly interpreted.
Lord Trefgarne
The contract referred to is to demonstrate a technology concept, not to provide operational equipment. UK participation in SDI research takes place within the framework of US obligations under the 1972 ABM treaty, and this contract is no exception.