HC Deb 03 March 1988 vol 128 cc683-4W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 16 February,Official Report, column 540, whether the definition there used of an enhanced radiation-capable shell includes those which can function as an enhanced radiation shell with the addition of a separate module.

Mr. Ian Stewart

It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the detailed technical questions concerning United States nuclear artillery shells. However, I can assure the hon. Member that the deployment to Europe of enhanced radiation nuclear artillery shells plays no part in NATO's plans.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the W-79 nuclear warhead, or any variation of it, is enhanced radiation-capable.

Mr. Ian Stewart

Some W79 nuclear artillery shells produced by the United States before the fiscal year 1985 are of the enhanced radiation (ER) type. However, as the United States Department of Defence's "Annual Report to the Congress, Fiscal Year 1984", page 234, makes clear, all United States ER weapons are being stockpiled solely on United States territory. NATO has no plans to deploy such weapons to Europe.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the W-82 nuclear warhead, or any variation of it, is enhanced radiation-capable.

Mr. Stewart

As the United States Department of Defence's "Annual Report to Congress, Fiscal Year 1987", page 227, makes clear, the United States is not planning to produce any W82 nuclear artillery shells of the enhanced radiation type.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many W-79 nuclear warheads there are in Europe; and how many he expects to be in Europe by 1995;

(2) how many W-82 nuclear warheads there are in Europe; and how many he expects to be in Europe in 1995.

Mr. Stewart

The number of nuclear artillery shells deployed in Europe by NATO now, or in the future, is classified.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the extent to which the new generation of nuclear weapons are likely to be used.

Mr. Stewart

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Dr. Moonie) and the hon. Member for Liverpool, Broadgreen (Mr. Fields) on 23 February, at column161.