HL Deb 15 June 1988 vol 498 c364WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the obligations to NATO mentioned by the Prime Minister (HC Deb, 19th May 1988, col. 1088) which prevent him from telling the New Zealand Government whether Royal Navy ships which might enter ports in New Zealand are armed with nuclear weapons.

The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Lord Trefgarne)

All our nuclear forces are committed to NATO in support of the strategy of flexible response. In addition to protecting our national interests, therefore, we have an equal obligation to the alliance, for security reasons, to ensure that no information is made available about the location of our nuclear weapons.