Written question asked by Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 7 December 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 December 2006. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Monday, 18 December 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Nuclear Weapons

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United Kingdom's nuclear doctrine includes a sub-strategic element; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Government's policy with regard to the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent was set out clearly in the White Paper ““The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent”” (Cm 6994), which was published on 4 December 2006. The White Paper (paragraph 3-4) makes clear that"““the UK's nuclear weapons are not designed for military use during conflict but instead to deter and prevent nuclear blackmail and acts of aggression against our vital interests that cannot be countered by other means””."We would only consider using nuclear weapons in self-defence (including of our NATO allies) and even then only in extreme circumstances. Any use of our nuclear weapons which may be contemplated would necessarily be ““strategic””.

Secondary information