HC Deb 21 April 1999 vol 329 cc562-3W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the United Kingdom submissions for the NATO fiftieth anniversary meeting to be held in Washington on 23 to 25 April; and if he will make a statement on the submissions made by (a) Germany and (b) Canada on the role of nuclear weapons within the NATO force structure. [81573]

Mr. George Robertson

The United Kingdom has played a full part in the confidential consideration between Allies of the various issues which will be discussed at the forthcoming NATO Summit. As is normal, the details of the UK contribution to such international negotiations are not made public and I am therefore withholding the information requested under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information—defence, security and international relations.

The principles underlying the Government's approach have been set out in evidence given by me, my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and senior officials to the Defence Select Committee's inquiry into the future of NATO, published on 13 April in the Committee's Third Report of Session 1998–99 (HC 39), as well as in debates and in answers to Questions in both Houses. I have also made a number of speeches, which are available on the Ministry of Defence's World Wide Web site, http:/www.mod/uk.

The views of other Allies on NATO issues are a matter for the Governments concerned.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out under which headings in his Departmental cash plans contained in Cm 4208, nuclear weapons(a) procurement, (b) deployment, (c) storage and (d) related maintenance activities are contained. [81499]

Mr. George Robertson

Costs relating to nuclear weapons procurement are contained in Vote 1 subheads K and L. Costs associated with the storage of nuclear weapons and related maintenance activities are contained in Vote 1 subhead F. Vote 1 subhead A covers the front line operating costs of the deterrent.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received recently from Abolition 2000 in respect of NATO's nuclear weapon policy and the NATO review meeting due to be held on 23 to 25 April in Washington DC. [81574]

Mr. George Robertson

Several officials in my Department have received copies of an identical letter, sent by Mr. Frank Blackaby of Abolition 2000 on 6 April 1999, concerning NATO nuclear policy and the review of the Alliance's Strategic Concept.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made by Russia and the United States in ratification of the Start II Nuclear Arms Control Treaty. [81478]

Mr. George Robertson

The United States Senate ratified START II on 26 January 1996. The Russian Duma has yet to do so.