§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies his Department has(a) undertaken and (b) commissioned into the terrorist threat posed by non-state sub-groups threatening to use crude nuclear weapons. [10886]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotMy Department keeps the possibility of such a threat under constant review. It would not be appropriate, for reasons of national security and defence, to provide more specific details of any studies in this area and the information is therefore withheld under exemption 1 of the code of practice on access to Government information.
§ Mr. SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations were made to his Department at the seminar held in London on 27 November 1996 on the terrorist threat posed by crude nuclear weapons; and what plans he has to take any action following the information disclosed at the seminar. [10887]
§ Mr. SoamesA member of my Department attended this seminar. Conversations on a range of topics took place but no specific representations were made to the Ministry of Defence. Contingency plans exist for responding to terrorist threats which involve the threatened or actual use of nuclear material. In the interests of national security, and for the protection of the public, these plans are regularly reviewed, tested and updated in the light of changing circumstances.