FRENCH NUCLEAR TESTS AND CONSERVATIVE DELEGATES TO ASSEMBLY OF WESTERN EUROPEAN;UNION

That this House notes with deep regret that Conservative members of the United Kingdom delegation to the Western European Union voted against a request for an emergency debate made at the Assembly meeting in Paris on 20th June to discuss the decision of the French Government to resume the testing of its nuclear weapons; considers that it was appropriate to request such a debate in view of the failure of the French Government to discuss its decision with any international organisation or country and fears that such an action would imperil the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and encourage other countries which have nuclear weapons to re-commence their testing of such weapons or to add to their nuclear armouries; and notes that this action by Conservative members could lead to serious questioning of Her Majesty's Government's commitment to this treaty.