Nuclear Weapons (Hansard, 13 June 1990)

§ Mr. Corbyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information in support of the United Kingdom nuclear weapons and warhead design and development has been made available by the United States under the 1958–59 as amended mutual defence agreement on atomic energy matters; and for what period this agreement will remain in force without requiring amendment.

§ Mr. Alan Clark
It has been the policy of successive British Governments not to disclose information exchanged under the terms of the 1958 United Kingdom/United States defence agreement. The agreement will remain extant until 31 December 1994, when article III is due for renewal.

§ Mr. Corbyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the financial savings made if the planned number of warheads for the Trident D5 programme were reduced by (i) 50 per cent. and (ii) 75 per cent.

§ Mr. Alan Clark
It has been the policy of successive Governments not to reveal details of this nature, for security reasons.

§ Mr. Corbyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mr. Flannery) of 15 May,Official Report, column 729, what matters with regard to nuclear non-proliferation were discussed at the NATO nuclear planning group in Kananaskis, Canada on 9–10 May.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The alliance's long-held position with regard to the proliferation of nuclear weapons remains unchanged. However, given the profound political changes in the countries of central and eastern Europe over recent months, the meeting of the NATO nuclear planning group, which took place in Canada on 9 to 10 May, concentrated its discussions on the implications of these developments for the alliance's nuclear policy. A copy of the final communiqué issued on completion of the NPG meeting is available in the Library.