HC Deb 04 May 1993 vol 224 cc19-20W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the military rationale for the continued deployment of free-fall nuclear bombs by the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

We have a continuing need for a sub-strategic nuclear capability, as an essential link between conventional and strategic nuclear forces.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the means by which his Department will demonstrate to other countries that the recent reduction in the number of nuclear free-fall bombs deployed by the United Kingdom has been implemented.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

In keeping with the practice of successive Governments, we do not make public detailed information on our nuclear stockpile size. The reduction of our free-fall bomb holdings by over a half is currently being implemented. The question of verification does not arise.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what improvements have been implemented to extend the operational life of the WE177 nuclear bomb beyond the 1990s.

Mr. Aitken

It is not in the interest of national security to discuss details of the configuration of nuclear weapons. However, the WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb is expected to remain serviceable well into the first decade of the next century.