HC Deb 15 July 2003 vol 409 cc198-9W
Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the(a) strategic and (b) sub-strategic roles of Trident missiles. [124740]

Mr. Hoon

The Government set out its nuclear deterrence policy in the Strategic Defence Review. I particularly refer my hon. Friend to Chapter Four and Supporting Essay Five.

Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he plans to conduct negotiations to amend or renew the agreement between Her Majesty's Government and the United States of America for co-operation on the uses of atomic energy for mutual defence purposes, on 3 July 1958, treaty series No. 41 (1958), Command 537; and if he will make a statement; [124744]

(2) if the Government proposes to extend article III bis to the Anglo-American mutual defence agreement on atomic energy matters, of 3 July 1958, treaty series No. 41 (1958), Command 537 when it expires in.2004. [124743]

Mr. Caplin

Discussions are now under way between the United Kingdom and United States Governments on the renewal of the 1958 Agreement For Cooperation on the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defence Purposes. Subject to the outcome of those discussions, we expect to lay any amendments before the House in accordance with normal procedures for Treaty renewals.

Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the United States on their proposals to(a) reduce the test readiness of their nuclear weapons laboratories and (b) fund research into low yield nuclear weapons. [124745]

Mr. Caplin

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has had no such discussions.

Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 11 June 2003,Official Report, column 915W, on scientific exchanges, which United States departments and establishments were visited by AWE personnel; from which departments and establishments the US visitors to AWE came; and how many (a) AWE staff visited the US and (b) US officials visited AWE. [124788]

Mr. Caplin

I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave him on 9 July 2003,Official Report, columns 807–08W. 313 AWE personnel visited the United States in 2002 under the auspices of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement and 485 US personnel visited AWE.

Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 12 June 2003,Official Report, column 1019W, on nuclear weapons, what assessment he has made of when a successor to Trident will be necessary; and what consultation would be undertaken in advance of a decision that a replacement for Trident was necessary. [124863]

Mr. Hoon

There are no current plans for a replacement for Trident, and no decisions on any possible successor system are yet needed.