§ 7. Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the number of nuclear warheads remaining within the area of the old Soviet Union.
§ Mr. RifkindWe estimate that there are some 27,000 or more nuclear warheads remaining within the area of the old Soviet Union.
§ Mr. BanksThere would be a big bang if they all went off together. All sane people clearly welcome the START 2 strategic arms reduction treaty. What financial and technical assistance has been provided to Russia, to Ukraine and to the other countries in eastern Europe to dismantle their nuclear weapons? Goiven START 2 and the end of the cold war, is not it time for the Government to give up the ridiculous Trident scheme? It is a criminal waste of money as there is clearly no enemy against which it will be pitched. It seems to be a case of political penis envy by the Government.
§ Mr. RifkindOn the earlier part of the question, we are providing support to Russia and to other countries in a similar position for dismantling their surplus nuclear weapons. As for the rather absurd comments in the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's remarks, I remind him that not only does the former Soviet Union still have 27,000 nuclear warheads, but even after 10 years and the full implementation of the START 2 agreement, Russia will still have more than 3,000 strategic nuclear warheads, which is more than enough to create enormous devastation around the world.
§ Mrs. BrowningWill my right hon. and learned Friend assure the House that we shall monitor the decommissioning and movement of those warheads in the Soviet Union? Will he also assure the House that Britain will maintain an independent nuclear deterrent as long as it is felt expedient to do so and while there are threats around the world from who knows where—not only from the old Warsaw pact countries—which make such a deterrent vital for the safety of our people?
§ Mr. RifkindMy hon. Friend is entirely correct. Measures will be taken to monitor the decommissioning or destruction of surplus nuclear weapons in Russia and in the United States. On the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, the United Kingdom's approach has always been to maintain the minimum deterrent that we require. In the case of Russia and the United States, there were aspirations to parity which resulted in huge increases in strategic nuclear weapons in both countries. Those weapons are now being cut by two thirds. We very much welcome that change, but both the United States and Russia will still have many more strategic nuclear weapons than the United Kingdom contemplates.