§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action his Department plans to take following the ruling by Sheriff Margaret Gimblett on Trident in October 1999. [111520]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 22 February 2000]: The Lord Advocate has referred Sheriff Gimblett's judgment to the High Court of Judiciary for its determination. It would therefore clearly be inappropriate for the Government to comment on it at this stage. The United Kingdom's minimum nuclear deterrent is consistent with international law.