NUCLEAR disarmament was on the agenda when Keighley MP John Grogan met local peace campaigners.

Members of Keighley Peace Justice and Environment Network sought the MP’s support for their campaign regarding the United Nations Nuclear Ban Treaty.

Among those present were group members Sylvia Boyes, Kathie Mack, Mollie Binns and Eithne Bolton

He agreed to put his name to a House of Commons motion supporting the UN Treaty, which was agreed at a special conference in New York in July this year.

Network spokesman Eithne Bolton said the treaty provided a framework for the countries of the world to negotiate the elimination of nuclear weapons, following the model of other international treaties addressing indiscriminate weapons.

She said: “Members of the network believe this could be a step towards a safer, more peaceful world but are worried that little information about the treaty has been seen in newspapers or on the BBC.”

Network members told Mr Grogan they regretted there had been little media coverage and hence no widespread discussion About the Treaty and its 122 signatories.

They said they believed the world was particularly unstable at the moment, and the use of nuclear weapons in any situation would be devastating for the UK and the world.

Mr Grogan said: “I believe in strong defences for the United Kingdom but I also believe that the world would be a safer place if we could reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons.

“Though the nuclear-armed states did not participate in the recent negotiations I believe the treaty provides significant implications and opportunities for international disarmament in the longer term, I was therefore happy to put my name to a Commons motion supporting the United Nations Treaty.

“Only last week a group of pupils at Eastburn Junior and Infants School wrote to me about how they wanted to eliminate nuclear weapons. In the interests of future generations I think it is a subject Parliament should always have on its agenda.”

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons was awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for its work to raise awareness of the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons. The campaign advocates that governments negotiate a treaty on their prohibition.”

Before receiving their Nobel Peace Prize this month, representatives of ICAN were due to attend a briefing in Parliament hosted by Fabian Hamilton MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Office Minister and Green Party leader Caroline Lucas MP.

John Grogan was among those expected to attend the meeting.