HC Deb 28 April 1983 vol 41 cc388-9W
Mr. Shore

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many nuclear tests have been undertaken by the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, China, France and the United Kingdom in each year since 1970; when discussions were last held on proposals for a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty; and with what results.

Mr. Hurd

The following is a list of announced nuclear tests. It has not proved possible to include all tests carried out in the last three years for all five countries. Discussions on the scope and verification of a comprehensive test ban treaty continue in the Committee on Disarmament in Geneva. The United Kingdom representatives have been active in the relevant working group, and have emphasised the essential need for adequate verification provisions in any future agreement.

Announced Nuclear Tests
USSR US UK France China
Year a b a b a b a b a b
1970 10 30 8 1
1971 14 11 5 1
1972 14 8 3 2
1973 14 9 5 1
1974 8 7 1 7 1
1975 6 16 2 1
1976 10 15 1 4 3 1
1977 11 12 6 1
1978 20 11 2 7 2
1979 15 14 1 9
1980 10 14 3 11 1
1981 1
1982 1
1983 1

a=atmospheric

b=underground