HL Deb 17 May 1990 vol 519 c467WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will work for a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty, following the stated willingness to sign of the USSR and the UN vote of 20th November 1989.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

For the foreseeable future, our security will depend on deterrence based in part on the possession of nuclear weapons. That will mean a continuing requirement to test our nuclear weapons in order to ensure that they remain effective and up to date. A comprehensive test ban therefore remains a long-term goal to which progress can only be made on a step-by-step basis.