Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the joint statement signed by the UK, the US and France on 7 July 2017, for what reasons the new ban treaty risks undermining the existing international security architecture; and what steps he has taken to promote the effectiveness of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

I refer to my answer of 20 July 2017 (PQ 5948). The UK is a strong supporter of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and peaceful uses of nuclear technology which are central to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Our role in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action addressing the Iranian nuclear programme, in the UN Security Council to take action in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile programme, and more broadly our support for the International Atomic Energy Agency are all important contributions to promoting the effectiveness of the NPT.