§ Dr. ReidTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how his Department plans to maintain the safety of the United Kingdom's nuclear warheads following the withdrawal of underground nuclear testing facilities in September 1996.
§ Mr. AitkenIf testing ends in 1996, we shall have to rely on alternative methods to ensure the safety of our weapons. Alternative technologies exist, but are not at present an adequate substitute for underground testing. Their development is a matter which we will now be considering.
§ Dr. ReidTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the circumstances under which the United Kingdom would continue underground nuclear testing after September 1996.
§ Mr. AitkenAssuming the current United States legislation is not amended, the prohibition on testing at Nevada will be lifted if another country tests after September 1996.
§ Dr. ReidTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies his Department is undertaking regarding the testing of nuclear weapons without resort to underground nuclear testing.
§ Mr. AitkenWe have been involved with work on alternative technologies for proving nuclear warheads for many years. However, they are not at present an adequate substitute for underground testing.