§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what review has been undertaken by NATO of its nuclear strategy in response to the World Court's advisory judgment on the legality of the threat of use of nuclear weapons; and what were its conclusions; [4300]
(2) what assessment he has made of the implications of the International Court of Justice's conclusion on the use of nuclear weapons for national defence for their use in defence of a coalition of nations bound by treaty. [4287]
§ Dr. ReidI refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 22 May 1997 to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd),Official Report, column 136.
The Alliance has carefully examined the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion. The Court concluded by a large majority that there is in international law no comprehensive and universal prohibition of the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. Allies agree that NATO's strategy of war prevention, including its nuclear component, is fully compatible with the United Nations Charter and international law.