Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Defence – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 21 February 2000.
Geoff Hoon
Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence
12:00,
21 February 2000
Britain's minimum nuclear deterrent is a necessary element of the security of this country, particularly while large nuclear arsenals and risks of proliferation remain. That was a key conclusion of the Government's strategic defence review. When we are satisfied that sufficient progress has been made to allow us to include British nuclear weapons in negotiations without endangering our security interests, we shall do so.