HC Deb 22 May 1997 vol 294 cc135-6W
Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he accepts the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of 8 July 1996 on the legality of nuclear weapons as a basis of British nuclear policy. [255]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

We strongly support the goal of the global elimination of nuclear weapons. We welcome the Court's recognition of the importance of obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, including the nuclear weapon states' obligation on nuclear disarmament. The Court's Advisory Opinion does not require a change in the United Kingdom's entirely defensive nuclear deterrence policy.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government intend to ratify the 1997 additional protocols to the 1949 Geneva convention. [256]

Mr. Lloyd

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the 1977 additional protocols. The Government is addressing the issue as a matter of priority.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the distinction between individual and collective defence in respect of the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons, following the opinion of the International Court on nuclear weapons. [254]

Mr. Lloyd

The International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion does not require a change in the United Kingdom's policy of considering the use of nuclear weapons only in self defence, which includes the defence of our NATO allies, and only in extreme circumstances.