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UK extends non-proliferation inquiry to include conventional weapons

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, Oct 21, IRNA

UK-Non Proliferation

The Foreign Affairs Committee announced Tuesday it was amending the terms of reference in its inquiry into the British government's non-proliferation strategy to include conventional weapons.

When launching the inquiry in July, the all-party group said it will "examine the work of the British Government in working towards the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's policy goal on countering weapons proliferation and its causes."

But it did not specify it would cover conventional weapons, only that it would consider the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons as well as the role of ballistic missiles.

The committee, which is responsible for scrutinizing the "expenditure, administration and policy" of the Foreign Office and its agencies, did not give any explanation why it had decided to widen the inquiry.

But because of the amended terms, it said it was delaying the deadline for the submissions of written evidence until December 1.

The MPs had been expected to start hearing oral testimonies after parliament resumed from its summer recess this month.

The inquiry, which will examine in particular the government's non-proliferation approach and the effectiveness of the rules-based international system in curbing current weapons proliferation, is part of a series under the general theme of global security.