§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the form of assistance that Britain is providing to Ukraine in its dismantling of nuclear weapons; which British engineers are helping; what progress has been made in the dismantling; and for how long this commitment lasts.
§ Mr. SoamesThe United Kingdom does not currently provide Ukraine with specific assistance for the dismantling of the nuclear weapons remaining in her territory. Assistance with the safe disposal of hazardous rocket fuels was offered, but declined. However, a number of more general assistance programmes, including ones run under the auspices of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, should help with the drawdown of the former strategic rocket forces in Ukraine, particularly the resettlement and retraining of personnel.