HC Deb 09 November 1978 vol 957 c333W
Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if all British nuclear submarines are equipped with Government-linked fail-safe firing mechanisms designed to prevent submarine commanders firing nuclear weapons on their own initiative.

Mr. Mulley

The Government are satisfied that the existing stringent measures ensure that all British nuclear weapons, including the Polaris missiles, are under the closest political control and cannot be used without their authority.

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