International Court of Justice

HC Deb 11 July 1996 vol 281 cc273-4W

Mr. Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the International Court of Justice decision announced on 8 July in respect of the use of nuclear weapons. [36497]

Mr. David Davis

I have been asked to reply.

The court's advisory opinion is long and complex and we are studying it. We note, however, that among other things the court concluded by a large majority that there is in international law no comprehensive and universal prohibition of the threat or use of nuclear weapons as such.