HL Deb 21 March 1994 vol 553 cc16-7WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether their answer to his Question "whether international law would ever permit a pre-emptive attack on a target deemed to be 'a weapon of mass destruction'" (H.L. Deb, 28 February, col. WA62) indicates that they are in doubt about the lawfulness of pre-emptive attacks, and whether they will quote international legal instruments which would render such pre-emptive attacks lawful.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

As I indicated in my previous reply, whether the use of force is lawful in any particular situation will depend on the facts of the case. The primary instrument which governs this subject is the United Nations Charter.