Written question asked by Jeremy Corbyn (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 December 1998. It was answered by Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 December 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he intends to oppose German proposals put to the December meeting of the North Atlantic Council that NATO should adopt a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons.

Answer: Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he intends to oppose German proposals put to the December meeting of the North Atlantic Council that NATO should adopt a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement. [61736] Mr. George Robertson: No member country has proposed to NATO that it adopt a policy of No First Use of nuclear weapons. In conducting the Strategic Defence Review we concluded that such a policy would be incompatible with our and NATO's doctrine of deterrence, and that it would not further nuclear disarmament. We see no need to change NATO nuclear policy as expressed in the Alliance Strategic Concept.

Secondary information