Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received on the status of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty; and what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the US Administration and the Russian Government on that treaty.

Sir Alan Duncan, Minister of State for Europe and the Americas at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office: For 30 years, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty has made a valuable contribution to Euro-Atlantic security. By removing an entire class of US and Russian weapons – ground-launched intermediate range missiles – the Treaty has supported strategic stability. NATO Allies have discussed the Treaty on a number of occasions, including at the most recent meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in November. We are aware of a Russian missile system that gives serious cause for concern and urge Russia to address concerns in a substantial and transparent way, through constructive dialogue and engagement.

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