Written question asked by Lord Clark of Windermere (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 July 1995. It was answered by Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 July 1995 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

---

Ministry of Defence

Question

What is Her Majesty's Government's policy on whether a comprehensive test ban treaty should prohibit any underground explosive testing which produces a fission yield; what is his Department policy on a low threshold test ban treaty as an alternative; if it is Her Majesty's Government's policy that some further explosive nuclear testing should be permitted and to retain the ability to conduct further underground nuclear tests after it has signed a comprehensive test ban treaty; what is his Departments assessment of whether a comprehensive test ban treaty that included a provision for small-scale testing would be compatible with the commitments made by the United Kingdom at the non-proliferation treaty extension conference. - Inc ref to "Declaration on Principles and Objectives for Nuclear and Non-Proliferation and Disarmament".

---

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

263 c1168W; 35417;35418;35425;35431;35423

Session

1994-95

Subjects

Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Nuclear weapons Nuclear test ban Testing