§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Ynys Mon (Mr. Best), 18 December 1985, Official Report, column 212, if he will set out the reasons why it is not in the national interest to identify the purpose of any 369W joint United States of America and United Kingdom underground nuclear test or the weapons programme it supports.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe association of a nuclear test with a specific project would enable a potential enemy to acquire classified information which would jeopardise the effectiveness of our deterrent. Consequently it has long been the policy of successive Governments to classify very highly all details other than those provided to the hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Mr. Best) in theOfficial Report of 18 December 1985. at column 216, and in official press releases.