HL Deb 17 February 1997 vol 578 c36WA
Lord Judd

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they accept the view of William M. Askin in The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists that Strategic Command in Omaha, USA, is developing a new nuclear war strategy to maximise fallout and radiation; and, if so, what are the implications for their defence and arms control policies.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)

Internal thinking about nuclear matters in the US is a matter for the US Government. All NATO allies agree that the purpose of nuclear weapons is political: to preserve peace and prevent coercion.