§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they share the view of the US Secretary of Defense that "If we now had the opportunity to ban all nuclear weapons, we would. That is how profound the change is that we have undergone", and whether they have undergone similar change.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Viscount Cranborne)Despite the encouraging developments in the strategic situation over recent years, many uncertainties and potential risks remain. The Government are committed to maintaining a minimum independent nuclear deterrent for as long as it is required for the security of this country.