§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to fulfil their obligation under Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to work towards general and complete disarmament.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyWe have already announced significant reductions in our sub-strategic nuclear capability, including ending our role in deployment of Lance missiles and nuclear artillery in Europe, ending our maritime tactical nuclear capability and a reduction of about 50% in the number of our nuclear free fall bombs. In addition my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 16th November that each Trident submarine would carry no more than 96 warheads compared with the previous intention to carry no more than 128, and that the actual number might be significantly fewer. We believe that a comprehensive test ban and a convention prohibiting the production of fissile material for weapons purposes could, if widely applicable and effectively verifiable, make a valuable contribution to non-proliferation and we have made clear that we are prepared to work for the conclusion of such agreements.