Nuclear Weapons (Hansard, 16 June 1997)

§ 17. Mr. McAllion
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking towards the elimination of nuclear weapons. [2057]

§ Dr. Reid
We have already made clear our commitment to the goal of the global elimination of nuclear weapons and to press for multilateral negotiations towards mutual, balanced and verifiable reductions in nuclear weapons. We will be examining how best to implement that commitment, particularly in the context of the Strategic Defence Review.

§ 32. Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of nuclear weapons which are vulnerable to an early strike; and if he will make a statement. [2073]

§ Dr. Reid
In current circumstances, the risk of any attack on our nuclear forces is very low. The invulnerability of our deterrent submarines when deployed at sea ensures that our nuclear forces are safe from attack in a crisis.