HC Deb 14 January 1997 vol 288 c125
10. Mr. David Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase Britain's nuclear capability. [8980]

Mr. Portillo

The Royal Navy's Trident force provides the effective and credible deterrent that Britain needs.

Mr. Evans

I thank the Secretary of State for his reply, disappointing though it was. Is he aware that the Ukraine has more nuclear warheads than Great Britain and France put together, and that any madman can buy them if he so wishes? Is he further aware that the Minister of State for the Armed Forces served in the 11th Hussars 25 years ago as an officer fighting for Queen and country, whereas the right hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair) and 12 of his Front-Bench cronies grubbed around Greenham Common in their CND tee-shirts with their legs and arms in the air ready to give away the defence of the realm? Is that what they would do if they were negotiating on Europe?

Mr. Portillo

I recently refreshed my memory of the 1983 election address of the right hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair). It is perfectly clear that, at that time, the Leader of the Opposition favoured the removal of our nuclear weapons. He believed in neither nuclear weapons nor cruise missiles. I do not believe that the British people will be willing to entrust the defence of this country to someone who has changed his mind and has been so wrong on such a fundamental issue of national interest.

Mr. Cohen

Have not the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Mr. Evans) and the Minister, in his first reply, given the game away? The Tories favour increasing the number of nuclear weapons and closing hospitals.

Mr. Portillo

I salute the hon. Gentleman because, unlike his Front-Bench colleagues, he has never changed his mind. He has remained absolutely true to his underlying principles. He is unreformed and unconverted, and I believe in his sincerity. I wish that I could believe in the sincerity of his Front-Bench colleagues.

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