CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION

Early day motion 2261, tabled 25 May 2006 by Tony Lloyd (Labour). Signed by 47 members.

That this House notes that May will mark the 10th anniversary of the UK's ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention; recalls that this was the first treaty in history to ban the development, production, stockpiling, transfer and use of an entire category of weapons; considers that this was a landmark convention offering not only hope but practical steps to disarmament; observes that the contracting states pledged to reduce chemical weapons stockpiles by 45 per cent. by 2004; regrets that only a 19 per cent. reduction was achieved by 2004; recalls the victims of chemical warfare in the past; and calls upon the Government and the international community to reprioritise the Convention to achieve further reductions.

Signatures by party: Labour 31, Liberal Democrat 12, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1, Scottish National Party 1.