IRISH GOVERNMENT NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT INITIATIVE

Early day motion 12, tabled 24 November 1998 by David Chaytor (Labour). Signed by 52 members.

That this House congratulates the Government on the steps taken in the Strategic Defence Review towards the goal of mutual, balanced and verifiable reductions in nuclear weapons; welcomes the recent initiative by the Irish, Brazilian, South African, New Zealand, Swedish, Mexican and Slovenian governemnts, calling on the nuclear capable states to make a clear commitment to the 'speedy, final and total elimination of their nuclear weapons'; further notes that the statement criticises the proposition that nuclear weapons can be retained in perpetuity and never used - accidentally or by decision - as one that defies credibility; recognises that Her Majesty's Government and all honourable and Right honourable Members of this House are committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its ultimate aim and objective - to rid the world of nuclear weapons; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to support the initiative of the Irish Government as an expression of its manifesto commitment to the goal of achieving the global elimination of nuclear weapons.

Signatures by party: Labour 40, Labour/Co-operative 5, Plaid Cymru 3, Scottish National Party 2, Liberal Democrat 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.