and not to undermine, deterrence; and fourthly, East-West negotiation should aim to achieve security with reduced levels of offensive systems on both sides. It is on that understanding that we give our full support to current United States research into strategic defence. Coming now to this body, the First Committee of the General Assembly has an important part to play. It is a forum where all States, including those that are not participating directly in specific arms control and disarmament negotiations, can have their say. The united Nations Disarmament Commission is a similar if more modest body whose useful work we continue to support. In these bodies States can bring to bear their particular geographical, regional, security, social and economic perceptions in a potentially valuable way. I say •potentially"; we regret the tendency to submit draft resolutions which are deliberately declaratory and unbalanced. Speaking in this Committee last year, the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office deplored the move away from consensus in the work of the Committee and the frequent duplication and indeed BHS/gb A/C.l/40/PV.ll 29-30 (Mr. Cromartie, united Kingdom) proliferation of resolutions. we support efforts to streamline the work of the First Committee and to make it more coherent. we also believe that the touchstones for resolutions coming from this Committee should be: first, are they the product of genuine dialogue, and secondly, will they help to advance practically the caQse of arms control and disarmament? The fact that the resolutions of the General Assembly are not binding should not make for irresponsibility. We hope that the session of the Committee in this anniversary year, coupled with a more hopeful international background, will produce a more credible and creditable set of recommendations than has sometimes been the case in the past. We 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing international relations, disarmament, and arms control, which are all related to the realm of international politics and security. It does not seem to be focused on economic, social, or environmental issues, but rather on the development of international policies and agreements.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology