§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his assessment of the effects in the United Kingdom of a worst case accident involving British nuclear weapons.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe worst credible accident involving a British nuclear weapon could lead to the explosion of the conventional explosive component of the warhead, accompanied by the local dispersal of plutonium. Weapon design ensures that, even if such an explosion did occur, this could not lead to a significant nuclear yield. The chances of any such accident occurring are extremely remote: there has never been an accident involving a British nuclear weapon which has produced any hazard to the public.
§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will clearly outline the nuclear weapons the United Kingdom Government now have at their disposal; and what systems these weapons are to be carried on.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonI refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 405 and 408 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1991". Subsequently, we have announced our intention to give up our Lance missile and nucleaer artillery capabilities, to withdraw maritime tactical nuclear weapons from our ships in normal circumstances, and substantially to reduce the number of our WE177 free fall bombs.