HL Deb 11 June 1991 vol 529 cc998-1000

3.2 p.m.

Lord Jenkins of Putney asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have studied the report from the United States Congress which concluded that "unintended nuclear detonations present a greater risk than previously estimated"; and, if so, with what result.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (The Earl of Arran)

My Lords, I can confirm that the report to which the noble Lord refers has been studied carefully by our officials and independent advisers and we regard it as a useful contribution to the consideration of nuclear weapon safety issues. I can also confirm that the Government remain satisfied with the safety of both our own nuclear weapons and US nuclear weapons that may he present in this country.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, one is grateful for the Minister's rather reassuring answer. However, is it not a fact that in the case of the United States nuclear weapons, some replacement has taken place because of anxiety about the reliability of older ones? Have Her Majesty's Government considered similar action so far as this country is concerned?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, the safety record at Aldermaston has always been extremely good and even after vesting day—indeed, as well as after vesting day—we consider that it will be just as successful, with the most stringent precautions taken into account.

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, does my noble friend agree that the report bears out the total idiocy of Labour councils declaring nuclear free zones?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I could say that my noble friend makes a very good point.

Lord Mackie of Benshie

My Lords, will the noble Earl tell the House whether there have been unintended nuclear detonations?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, to the very best of my knowledge, no.

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, will the noble Earl confirm that the Trident warheads which we are about to make operational suffer from the defects that were noted in the Drell Report? Will the Government pay serious attention to the conclusions of that report as regards warheads manufactured in this country?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, as to lessons to be learned from the Drell Report, we always take into account any suggestions that we believe could improve our safety record. I remind noble Lords that we have an extremely good track record. We are completely satisfied with the safety of the Trident nuclear missile system. The missile and its United Kingdom warhead will undergo a comprehensive series of trial assessments and formal safety approval procedures before entering service with the Royal Navy.

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, is it not the case that the US is considering a redesign of the Trident warhead because of the comments of the Drell Report? Are not the UK Government considering the same redesign?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, the United Kingdom Government are not considering a new design. They consider the design as it always has been and, one hopes, will prove to be, completely safety proof.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, will the Government keep the matter under very close review having regard to the completely disastrous consequences which could follow an unintended explosion?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, the Government are never complacent about the extremely important matter of safety precautions.

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, is it not the case that Trident warheads to be deployed on Royal Navy missiles are designed and manufactured in this country and that therefore the questio~ put by the noble Lord, Lord Williams, does not arise?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, my noble friend is quite right.

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, does the noble Earl agree that the Trident warheads come from US nuclear technology? We can specify the US Congress and Drell Report numbers for those warheads. It is not simply a question of UK design. Is it not the case that they are basically of US design?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, yes, that is true to some extent. However the point is that the Drell Report did not conclude that US nuclear weapons were unsafe. On the contrary, all three members of the Drell panel testified that in their opinion the US nuclear stockpile is safe.

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, does my noble friend recall that these warheads are wholly United Kingdom designed and United Kingdom built? There is no question of any United States input into British nuclear warheads.

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I shall have to make quite certain about that point. I shall write to my noble friend and to the noble Lord, Lord Williams.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, the noble Earl is to be congratulated upon his caution.