HL Deb 28 July 1998 vol 592 c181WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In what state of readiness the nuclear weapons of each of the United Nations Security Council member states are held. [HL2062]

The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)

With one submarine always on patrol, our Trident force currently operates in a state of reduced readiness at several days notice to fire. Its readiness state could, however, be quickly increased if required. Exact details of the readiness states of the nuclear forces of the other members of the UN Security Council are matters of which Her Majesty's Government have no precise knowledge.