HC Deb 01 March 1990 vol 168 c324W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current North Atlantic Treaty Organisation requirement for tactical air-to-surface missiles.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The Alliance has long made clear its commitment to keeping its forces, including nuclear forces, effective and up to date. Part of this process is the replacement of ageing free-fall nuclear bombs. The United Kingdom is considering both French and American options to replace its WE177 but, as yet, no decisions have been taken.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation requirement for tactical air-to-surface missiles was(a) first and (b) most recently publicly stated.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The Alliance has long made clear its intention to maintain adequate, effective and up-to-date nuclear forces and most recently reaffirmed this strategy at the October 1989 meeting of the nuclear planning group in Portugal.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any studies into the replacement of the WE177 free-fall bomb have included air-launched missiles of a range greater than 400 km.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

It is not our practice to comment on the detailed specifications for weapons systems under consideration as possible future replacements for the WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb.