§ 36. Mr. Traceyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on whether the Warsaw pact has the means to launch an effective attack on United Kingdom targets with chemical weapons; and whether he considers this form of attack might be effective.
§ Mr. StanleyThe Warsaw pact has a major chemical weapon capability, assessed to include over 300,000 tonnes of agent, and the means to deliver it against targets throughout Western Europe including the United Kingdom. The effectiveness of an attack using chemical weapons would depend on the nature and quantity of agent used and on the targets attacked, but the essence of our strategy of deterrence is to ensure that no Warsaw pact weapons of any type are used against a NATO country.