Mentions:
1: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con - Life peer) My Lords, French participation in NATO’s nuclear structures is a matter for France. - Speech Link
2: Lord West of Spithead (Lab - Life peer) We allocate out nuclear weapons to NATO, which is under the US nuclear umbrella. - Speech Link
Mentions:
1: Kerr, Stephen (Con - Central Scotland) power of nuclear weapons. - Speech Link
2: Mackay, Rona (SNP - Strathkelvin and Bearsden) Our position on nuclear weapons is clear. - Speech Link
3: Kerr, Stephen (Con - Central Scotland) it gave up its nuclear weapons. - Speech Link
4: McNair, Marie (SNP - Clydebank and Milngavie) to Abolish Nuclear Weapons and all others who oppose nuclear weapons across the world.I am sure that - Speech Link
Apr. 24 2024
Source Page: There should be no nuclear weapons stationed in space: UK statement at the UN Security CouncilFound: There should be no nuclear weapons stationed in space: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Mar. 26 2024
Source Page: Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: FOI releaseFound: Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: FOI release
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to diversify the UK's nuclear deterrent capabilities.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The 2013 Trident Alternatives Review demonstrated that no other system is as capable, resilient or cost effective as our current deterrent capability based on a four nuclear-armed submarine solution. That has not changed; the Trident II D5 missile system, carried by our Vanguard Class submarines, remains the most reliable weapons system in the world having successfully completed more than 190 tests.
The Government has absolute confidence that the UK’s deterrent remains effective, dependable, and formidable. That is why we are continuing to invest in the next generation of Dreadnought Class ballistic missile submarines, in extending the life of the Trident missile and in replacing the warhead, to keep us safe for decades to come.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's policy is on stationing non-UK nuclear weapons at UK military sites.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
It remains longstanding UK and NATO policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any given location.
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent assessment his Department has made of whether Israel possesses nuclear weapons.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Israel has never declared a nuclear weapons programme. The UK Government continues to encourage Israel to sign the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as a Non-Nuclear Weapon State. We regularly monitor all global nuclear developments and will continue to work with international partners to strengthen the non-proliferation regime and advance multilateral nuclear disarmament. The UK Government closely follows the security situation in the Middle East and maintains a regular dialogue with international counterparts.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in advance of the next UN General Assembly in December, they will reconsider their opposition to the UN Resolution Addressing the Legacy of Nuclear Weapons: Providing Victim Assistance and Environmental Remediation to Member States Affected by the Use or Testing of Nuclear Weapons, given that 171 countries supported the Resolution and only North Korea, France and Russia opposed it alongside the UK.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government was not able to support this resolution as it was inconsistent with our position on the legacy of nuclear tests. However, the UK will continue to take a constructive approach to negotiations on any such resolutions at next year's United Nations General Assembly. The UK recognises significant efforts to address the impact of historic nuclear testing. We supports the call made in this resolution to all governments and international organisations with relevant expertise to consider giving remedial assistance in affected areas.
Asked by: Neale Hanvey (Alba Party - Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of nuclear weapons infrastructure.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 January 2024 to Question 7792 to the right hon. Member for Wentworth and Dearne.
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Streatham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on whether islanders were displaced in order for the UK to test nuclear weapons on Kiritimati.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
At the time it was selected for nuclear tests, Kiritimati was uninhabited, although indigenous people from the surrounding islands came to Kiritimati to work under the British authorities or on copra plantations. Historic records show these citizens were temporarily evacuated to ships or flown to nearby islands before UK nuclear weapons detonations.