MISSILE DEFENCE

Early day motion 595, tabled 4 April 2000 by Harold Best (Labour). Signed by 42 members.

That this House notes that the United States plans to develop a National Missile Defence system and that President Clinton is due to make a decision about further developments this summer; is concerned that the United States has asked Russia to amend the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, which is widely considered to be the cornerstone of international arms control; believes that the deployment of a NMD system could destabilise international relations and result in further vertical and horizontal proliferation; is worried that Britain will collaborate with the United States on NMD through Menwith Hill and RAF Fylingdales in Yorkshire; and calls on the Government to initiate a debate on the advisability of Britain's involvement in these potential and destabilising developments.

Signatures by party: Labour 34, Labour/Co-operative 3, Liberal Democrat 3, Independent Labour 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.