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Mr. Cryer
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he possesses about Iran's alleged build-up in arms and military equipment, including nuclear technology and know-how that can be put to military use.
Mr. Archie Hamilton
Iran has recently acquired new combat aircraft and surface to surface missiles and may be seeking new tanks. The Iranian navy is likely to obtain its first conventional submarine soon. Iran is a state party to the non-proliferation treaty and is pursuing a nuclear technology development programme, but has publicly denied that this is aimed at the acquisition of nuclear weapons. The United Kingdom has consistently made clear the significance which it attaches to all states party to the NPT complying fully with all their obligations.