Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Monday, 17 April 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 May 2000. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 May 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 3rd April 2000 at 347 c303W, on tritium, for what reason disclosure of tritium production details would be contrary to national defence and security interests.

Answer: Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 3 April 2000 to the hon. Member for Angus, (Mr. Welsh), Official Report, column 303W, on tritium, for what reason disclosure of tritium production details would be contrary to national defence and security interests. [120065] Mr. Hoon: The Government are committed to being as open as possible about Britain's nuclear forces. However, disclosure of tritium production details could provide the means to assess nuclear weapon design data, offering an unwelcome insight into our nuclear capabilities. In addition, when answering questions on defence nuclear issues, we must observe our obligations under the terms of Article 1 of the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It is on these grounds that I am withholding this information under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Secondary information