Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 26 February 2019 to Question 222573 on Nuclear Weapons: International Law, whether that answer was based on an assessment made by his Department of the implications for his policies of the conclusions of the article referred to in that Question; and if he will make a statement.

The Ministry of Defence forms its policy considering a wide range of sources. We do not comment on whether, or to what extent, individual pieces of academic writing contribute to or influence policymaking. However, the UK keeps its nuclear deterrence policy and posture under review in light of the international security climate and the actions of our potential adversaries.