Nuclear Weapons (Hansard, 20 May 1997)

HC Deb 20 May 1997 vol 294 c24W 24W

§ Mr. Mitchell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy on the limited use of nuclear weapons to warn an aggressor. [257]

§ Dr. Reid
The Government fully support NATO policy on the continuing requirement for a sub-strategic capability as a crucial element of credible deterrence. In extreme circumstances of self-defence such a capability would allow the limited use of nuclear weapons to send an aggressor a political message of the Alliance's resolve to defend itself.