§ 32. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Defence what, in his view, are the performance characteristics needed for an independent nuclear strategic deterrent.
§ Mr. BlakerTo provide an effective deterrent, a strategic nuclear force must be able to threaten to inflict a degree of damage to any potential aggressor which he would regard as unacceptable in the context of any gains he might hope to make. To be credible the force must be able to pose this threat even in the face of a pre-emptive attack without any prior warning, and to do so on a continuous basis. For a discussion of the implications of these requirements for the United Kingdom strategic deterrent, I refer my hon. Friend to Defence Open Government Document 80/23, paragraphs 9 to 15, a copy of which is available in the Library.