The United Kingdom has not begun to develop a new nuclear warhead, Defense Secretary John Hutton said yesterday in response to a lawmaker's query (see GSN, July 25).
The House of Commons discussion took place after protesters gathered last week at the nation's top nuclear-weapon laboratory, AWE Aldermaston, to express concern about plans to modernize British nuclear warheads.
"Could you give us a clear assurance that the phenomenal amounts of money being spent on [the Atomic Weapons Establishment in] Aldermaston are not being used for the development of a new generation of nuclear weapons, which has not yet been debated on or decided upon in the House?" asked Member of Parliament Jeremy Corbyn of the Labor Party.
"There's no question about it," Hutton replied. "There will be decisions in this House at the right time on these matters."
"But I would say to you that it is vitally necessary for the long-term strategic security of the U.K. that we maintain our minimum nuclear deterrent. We are absolutely committed to doing that and that will not change," he added (Press Association, Nov. 3).