§ Mr. HuttonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on the release of information on his Department's study of alternative technologies for testing nuclear warheads.
§ Mr. AitkenI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Motherwell, North (Dr. Reid) on 2 November 1992,Official Report, column 53. Release of information on alternative technologies must have regard to the requirements of national security, and our non-proliferation obligations and concerns.
§ Mr. HuttonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's personnel are currently involved in studying alternative technologies for testing nuclear warheads.
§ Mr. AitkenIt has not been the policy of this or previous Governments to reveal details of the staffing levels required for nuclear warhead research programmes.
§ Mr. HuttonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 October 1992, to the hon. Member for Motherwell, North (Dr. Reid),Official Report, column 403, how much expenditure was incurred in 1992–93 on studying alternative technologies for testing nuclear warheads.
§ Mr. AitkenIt has not been the policy of this or previous Governments to reveal costs associated with the nuclear warhead research programmes.
§ Mr. HuttonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had with(a) his United States and (b) his French counterparts relating to the development of alternative technologies for testing nuclear warheads; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. AitkenMy right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has recently had meetings with both Secretary Aspin and Mr. Leotard, at which a range of subjects of mutual interest was discussed. We are in close touch with the United States and French authorities on nuclear testing and associated issues.