HC Deb 09 December 1999 vol 340 c631W
Mr. Tony Benn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of whether investing in the National Ignition Facility is consistent with Britain's obligations under(a) the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and (b) the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; and if he will make a statement. [102130]

Mr. Hain

HMG are fully committed to fulfilling our obligations under the NPT and the CTBT. This investment is fully consistent with those obligations and will ensure that the United Kingdom has the capability to underwrite the integrity of our nuclear warheads without recourse to nuclear testing.

Mr. Tony Benn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with colleagues prior to the Government's decision to invest in the National Ignition Facility; and if he will make a statement. [102129]

Mr. Hain

None. The decision to invest in the National Ignition Facility was taken by the Secretary of State for Defence.

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