§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has an on-going requirement for carrying out nuclear tests in relation to the safety and reliability of the nuclear stockpile. [18121]
§ Mr. FreemanWe have a responsibility to ensure the safety and reliability of our nuclear weapons and we are currently studying how best to meet this requirement.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy in relation to hydro-nuclear experiments and the proposed comprehensive test ban treaty. [18147]
§ Mr. FreemanWe are negotiating in good faith a comprehensive test ban treaty with an effective verification regime. We are studying how best to meet our responsibility to ensure the safety and reliability of our nuclear weapons under such a treaty.