HC Deb 13 June 1989 vol 154 cc394-5W
19. Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances Her Majesty's Government's policy encompasses the first use of nuclear weapons.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances Her Majesty's Government's policy encompasses the first use of nuclear weapons.

87. Mr. Flannery

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances Her Majesty's Government's policy encompasses the first use of nuclear weapons.

88. Mr. Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances Her Majesty's Government's policy encompasses the first use of nuclear weapons.

Mr. Younger

The possibility of first use of nuclear weapons in response to a conventional attack is central to NATO's strategy of deterrence. However, it would undermine deterrence to spell out in advance the precise circumstances in which nuclear weapons would or might be used.

75. Mr. Paice

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the consequences for NATO's strategy of the adoption of a policy of no-first use of nuclear weapons.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

A policy of "no first use" would be fundamentally incompatible with NATO's strategy of flexible response.