Paul Ingram, BASIC’s Executive Director, gave oral evidence to the House of Lords International Relations Committee, as part of their Inquiry into the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and nuclear disarmament.
Opening: Prospects for disarmament and UK leadership in driving multilateralism
Paul was asked by Lord Howell of Guildford (chair) in his opening statement to address the current challenges to nuclear non-proliferation and the prospects for disarmament in the lead-up to the 2020 NPT Review Conference
Closing: What are our measures of Success
Paul was asked by Baroness Anelay of St Johns what measures of success would be at the 2020 NPT Review Conference. In his final statement, he responded by talking about the need to build the foundations for disarmament, and that the UK had a chance to use its position to lead disarmament efforts, and to take the courage to drive a multilateral agenda.
How should UK respond to the Ban Treaty?
Paul was asked by Lord Jopling what the UK reaction to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons should be. Paul responded that whilst the UK was in no position to consider joining it, it should better understand the frustration that lies behind it and redouble efforts to engage in practical moves towards disarmament.
Impacts of cyber and other disruptive tech on deterrence and disarmament
Lord Reid of Cardowan asked to what degree emerging technologies undermine disarmament and deterrence would be undermined. Paul responded in some detail about the threat that cyber and other emerging technologies.
Engagement with P5 and other international groupings
Baroness Hilton of Eggardon wanted to explore the relationship with P5 and the nuclear armed states outside the NPT. Paul responded that the P5 process was important but needed a new injection of energy, and that it was possible to engage India and Pakistan, using a framing around responsibilities towards the international community.
UK response to INF
Lord Hannay of Chiswick asked whether the Russians been in non-compliance with the INF Treaty, and how should the UK interpret the US decision to leave the treaty? Paul‘s response was that the US response to Russian non-compliance made little sense, and the effort to attach logic to it was probably misleading.
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