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Space: Weapons

Volume 689: debated on Monday 5 February 2007

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they support an international treaty to ban the use of all weapons in space; and, if so, what action they are taking to promote such a treaty. [HL1633]

We consistently support UN resolutions on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS), recognising that negotiations for the conclusion of an international agreement to prevent an arms race in outer space remain a priority task. However, there is no international consensus on the need to start negotiations on a new instrument, such as PAROS, governing the military use of space.

The Government do not accept the argument that negotiations on important issues such as the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty should be conditional on negotiation of a PAROS treaty.