Written question asked by Caroline Lucas (Green Party) on Tuesday, 8 June 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 June 2010. It was answered by Gerald Howarth (Conservative) on Tuesday, 15 June 2010 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Nuclear Weapons

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the US-UK Mutual Defence Agreement will be renewed during the life of this Parliament; and when discussions on renewal of the agreement are scheduled to commence.

Answer: While no expiry date applies for the agreement as a whole, Article III bis of the Agreement, an article relating to the transfer of Materials and Equipment which was introduced in 1959, is periodically reviewed. It was last reviewed in 2004 and expires in December 2014. At this stage, no specific timetable for any discussions on a further extension has been agreed.Copies of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement and its subsequent amendments are in the Library of the House.

Secondary information