§ Alan SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to share(a) nuclear weapons designs and (b) nuclear weapons technology with the French Government. [167976]
§ Mr. HoonThe Ministry of Defence continues to maintain contacts with France on a range of technical and scientific issues relating to nuclear weapons. These contacts are consistent with the United Kingdom's international obligations, including those under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. I am withholding more specific information on the particular activities themselves under the terms of Exemption Category I of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to defence, security and international relations.