§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that a security shield can one day render nuclear weapons obsolete and free mankind from the threat of nuclear destruction.
§ Lord TrefgarneThis issue was addressed in another place by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence during the debate on the strategic defence initiative (Official Report (Commons), Vol. 92, No. 61, cols. 339–340), when he said:
As for the outcome of SDI research—an outcome which will not be apparent for many years—neither the United States nor the United Kingdom Governments have formed or could form at this stage any judgment. Indeed it would be premature to do so. … The Government believe that the current structure of mutual deterrence provides a sound and effective basis for providing that degree of stability in international relations which is an essential prerequisite to continuing peace and security. … The Government attach great weight to the arms control implications of strategic research and possible deployments on both sides. Whatever the eventual outcome of such research it is clear that for the foreseeable future, Western security will depend upon the maintenance of nuclear deterrent forces".I do not believe that I can usefully add anything to that.