§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Defence what nuclear tests (i) have been carried out and (ii) are 455W proposed, in respect of Trident; whether Her Majesty's Government intend to rely on United States tests or to carry out their own; and when it is anticipated that such tests will be completed.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonJoint United Kingdom/United States nuclear weapons tests are carried out at the Nevada test site as part of the continuing development of our nuclear warheads and in order to maintain the effectiveness of the UK's nuclear capability. All tests are announced at the time but it would not be in the national interest to identify the specific purpose of each test.