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Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Thursday, 27 October 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 November 2005. It was answered by Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour) on Thursday, 3 November 2005 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.


Nuclear Weapons

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to undertake studies to assess the levels of public (a) support for and (b) opposition to the continued possession of nuclear weapons by the United Kingdom as long as other countries have them.
Answer

The Ministry of Defence periodically monitors public opinion on a range of defence issues, including attitudes towards the nuclear deterrent. This specific question was last asked in a poll conducted by MORI in December 2003, and the results are published in detail on the MOD website (www.mod.uk/linked_files/publications/foi/polls/mori.pdfwww.mod.uk).Overall, some 66 per cent. agreed that the UK should retain nuclear weapons while other countries retain theirs, with 21 per cent. disagreeing.We will continue to monitor public attitudes towards defence, although it is too early to say what specific questions might be asked in future.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
23737; 438 c1262-3W;438 c1260-1W
Session
2005-06
Related items
Nuclear Deterrent
Wednesday, 9 November 2005
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Nuclear weapons Public opinion