Written question asked by Jeremy Corbyn (Labour) on Thursday, 3 May 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 May 2001. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Thursday, 10 May 2001 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the Report of the Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organisation, presented to the Chairman of the Committee of Armed Services of the US House of Representatives on 11th January, in respect of the aspects which have implications for United Kingdom security policy.

Answer: Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make an assessment of the report of the Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organisation, presented to the Chairman of the Committee of Armed Services of the US House of Representatives on 11 January, in respect of the aspects which have implications for United Kingdom security policy. [160812] Mr. Hoon: We are aware of the report and await the US Department of Defense response to it. The outer space treaty places important limitations on military activity in space without entirely prohibiting it. We do not want to see a general prohibition on military use of space because, for example, as confirmed in the Strategic Defence Review, we perceive a continuing needs for secure satellite communications for the armed forces. We do not support the further consideration of the use of outer space by the conference on disarmament in Geneva.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 368 c252W; 160812
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Armed forces Defence Treaties Security USA Ballistic missile defence Military intelligence Satellites Spaceflight Space technology
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk