HC Deb 28 November 1986 vol 106 cc377-8W
Mr. O'Neill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the role of binary weapons in the NATO strategy.

Mr. Stanley

The Soviet Union is capable of engaging in chemical warfare on a very large scale. NATO allies are committed to achieving a comprehensive and verifiable global ban on all aspects of chemical warfare. However, until such a ban is achieved NATO must continue to be able to deter an attack with chemical weapons on its own forces. For this purpose, there is a need for a range of capabilities including defensive equipment and a limited chemical weapons retaliatory capability within the Alliance.