asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government is concerned at the militarisation of outer space which could result from the implementation of President Reagan's star-war proposals; and if he will make a statement of Government policy on the matter.
Written Answers. - Arms Race in Outer Space.
8.
The Government have consistently supported initiatives at the United Nations calling for negotiations on the prevention of an arms race in outer space. The Government have welcomed the commencement of the negotiations at Geneva between the United States and the Soviet Union, the purpose of which is, as these parties have jointly indicated, "to work out effective agreements aimed at preventing an arms race in outer space and terminating it on earth, at limiting and reducing nuclear arms and at strengthening strategic stability". We believe that a genuine commitment to these goals will require both superpowers to exercise restraint in regard to the further militarisation of outer space. In particular, the Government consider it important that the provisions of the 1972 Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty between the US and Soviet Union, which limits the testing and use of missile defences, should be upheld.
Question No. 9 postponed.