§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, as the British Manual of Military Law forbids obedience to commands which violate the rules of war and outrage the general sentiments of humanity, any and all members of HM Forces must refuse to carry out any command they may receive involving the firing of any nuclear weapon or weapons.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces (Lord Trefgarne)The Manual of Military Law does not contain the proscription quoted. Paragraph 113 of the manual says that there is no rule of international law dealing specifically with the use of nuclear weapons, the use of which is governed by the general laws of war. A serviceman must obey any commnad which is justified by military law and which is not contrary to British or international law.