§ Alan SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Government's policy is on(a) resuming underground nuclear tests and (b) research into weapons under five kilotons. [118398]
§ Mr. IngramWe have signed, ratified and continue strongly to support the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. We have no plans to resume nuclear weapon test explosions. We are not planning any new nuclear weapons, nor are we modifying current systems to lower their yield. We maintain a research capability to ensure the safety of our existing stockpile and to support the policy set out in the Strategic Defence Review of maintaining a minimum capability to design and produce a successor to Trident should this prove necessary.