§ Mr. CabornTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what substitutions for nuclear weapons withdrawn under the intermediate nuclear forces treaty are planned for both British and United States forces within the United Kingdom, on land and on ships based or calling at our ports; and when it is intended to introduce these new nuclear weapons.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThere are no plans to substitute for the missiles withdrawn under the INF treaty, which only covered certain specific categories of missiles. The process of modernising and restructuring NATO's nuclear forces, to ensure that they remain effective, responsive and survivable, will not undercut in any way the real reduction in the Alliance's land-based nuclear weapons resulting from the treaty. NATO will continue to maintain only the minimum level of forces consistent with credible deterrence. NATO's nuclear stockpile in Europe is now at its lowest level for 20 years, having been reduced by some 31W 35 per cent. since 1979; it will reduce even further when the INF treaty is fully implemented. Decisions on modernisation and restructuring will be taken as and when necessary.