Nuclear Weapons

Mr. Dai Davies
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the merits of reducing the number of nuclear warheads in the United Kingdom stockpile; what technical capability exists in the UK to dismantle redundant warheads; and whether the UK is able to make use of US expertise on this matter.

Mr. Bob Ainsworth
The Government are committed to retaining only the minimum credible nuclear deterrent capability. We regularly review the number of warheads in the UK stockpile in that light.

The UK technical capability to disassemble warheads is exercised and maintained at a level appropriate to enable effective warhead surveillance, essential stockpile maintenance and the timely disassembly of the stockpile should the need arise.

We do not rely on US capabilities to dismantle UK warheads. However, the UK has regular specialist technical exchanges with the US through the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement. These exchanges include warhead disassembly, to share best practice and experience.