§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy with regard to nuclear retaliation in the case of aggressor states contemplating the use of chemical and biological weapons. [HL3331]
§ Lord HoyleThe use of chemical or biological weapons by any state would be a grave breach of international law. A state which chose to use chemical or biological weapons against the United Kingdom should expect us to exercise our right of self defence and to make a proportionate response.
§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their latest position on Negative Security Assurances in the context of the possible use of chemical and biological weapons by aggressor states; and whether they have considered the adoption of a "no first use of any weapon of mass destruction" policy at least with regard to non-nuclear weapon states. [HL3350]
§ Lord HoyleWe have long given assurances to non-nuclear weapon states who are party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and who meet their obligations under that treaty that we would not use nuclear weapons against them unless they first attacked us in association with a nuclear weapon state. We considered No First Use in the Strategic Defence Review but saw no reason to change our and NATO's current nuclear policy. As for our policy on responding to attacks using chemical or biological weapons, I refer the noble Lord to my answer to him earlier today.