Nuclear Weapons: Policy (Hansard, 9 July 1992)

Viscount St. Davids
My Lords, the Government remain committed to retain the minimum nuclear capability necessary for credible and effective deterrence.

§ Lord Mayhew
My Lords, is the noble Viscount aware that the defence White Paper plainly indicates that in the mid-1990s the Government are planning to have an overall nuclear fire power system well in excess of anything previously possessed? Is he aware also of the warnings in the White Paper in regard to the dangers of nuclear proliferation? How ale those two points to be reconciled? What events in the world have caused a considerable increase in our planned nuclear fire power?

Viscount St. Davids
My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Mayhew, is well aware that technical advances in anti-ballistic missile systems require us substantially to update the Polaris system through its replacement by Trident. If the noble Lord reads into the figures an increase in nuclear capacity, that increase is to fulfil that requirement.

§ Lord Boyd-Carpenter
My Lords, will my noble friend remind those who seek to disarm this country that it was only the strength and resolution of this country a few years ago that produced the free Europe we see today?

Viscount St. Davids
My Lords, my noble friend is correct.

§ Lord Jenkins of Putney
My Lords, is the noble Viscount aware that those of us who took part in the proceedings a few years ago, do not believe in yesterday? Is it not the case that today no technological increase has been made in ABM systems? Against whose ABM system is our increased technology directed? Is it directed at the Soviet Union our fellow members of NATO? Why do we need vastly increased expenditure in that regard when there is no effective enemy against whom to direct such capacity?

Viscount St. Davids
My Lords, the Trident system will need to be in operation for 30 years. We must plan ahead in these matters.

§ Lord Swinfen
My Lords, does not my noble friend agree that nuclear proliferation in the long term is almost completely unavoidable? We must therefore be prepared to defend ourselves against possible attack from any direction.

Viscount St. Davids
My Lords, my noble friend is totally correct in his observations.

§ Lord Stoddart of Swindon
My Lords, in relation to the independence of the nuclear weapons we possess, how far is it possible for Britain to target and re-target them without the assistance of United States technology and, more importantly, its satellites?

Viscount St. Davids
My Lords, that question falls into two parts. First, it is not the policy of Her Majesty's Government to comment on targeting. Secondly, the status of Trident is that of a treaty which is lodged with the United Nations. I am sure that this House would not like to give any impression that we call into question the integrity of the United States Government in carrying out treaty obligations.

§ Lord Wedgwood
My Lords, does my noble friend agree that our nuclear deterrent should be credible, comprehensive and cohesive and that the current plans are therefore vital?

Viscount St. Davids
My Lords, my noble friend is totally correct. That is the policy being pursued by Her Majesty's Government.

§ Lord Rea
My Lords, in answer to his noble friend the Minister implied that he agreed that nuclear proliferation is inevitable. In that case can the Minister say why the Government support the nuclear non-proliferation treaty?

Viscount St. Davids
My Lords, I believe that my noble friend was referring to the fact that with the break-up of the Soviet Union large quantities of arms could well fall into the hands of what may in future be far from stable regimes.

§ Lord Stoddart of Swindon
My Lords, can the noble Lord say whether his answer to me implies that Britain would never use its nuclear weapons without the United States being in favour of their use?

Viscount St. Davids
My Lords, the use of nuclear weapons is a matter for determination by Her Majesty's Government.

§ Lord Williams of Elvel
My Lords, can the Minister say whether there is a hint in the defence White Paper that Trident might be used in future in a sub-strategic rather than a strategic role? Can he say what implication that has for the tactical air-to-surface missile? Will the noble Viscount let the House know when the Government are going to carry out the pledge given by the former Secretary of State for Defence to publish an unclassified version of the nuclear weapons' safety report?

Viscount St. Davids
My Lords, as yet I cannot give an answer to the second part of the noble Lord's question. I shall see what information I can gather on the matter. Will the noble Lord be good enough to repeat the first part of the question?

§ Lord Williams of Elvel
My Lords, the noble Viscount may recall that the first part of my question was about the sub-strategic role of Trident. Hitherto, we have been told that Trident is a strategic nuclear deterrent. My understanding from the defence White Paper is that the Government now envisage the possibility of Trident being used in a sub-strategic role. What effect would that have on the tactical air-to-surface missile?

Viscount St. Davids
My Lords, the whole matter of our sub-strategic nuclear requirement is at present under consideration. I do not believe that it would be proper for me to make any observations until the results of the investigations are known.