UK's Nuclear Deterrent

Debate between Jeremy Corbyn and Angus Brendan MacNeil

Monday 18th July 2016 Commons Chamber

[Jeremy Corbyn]

If this is all about controlling them, perhaps we should think for a moment about the obligations we have signed up to as a nation by signing the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, article VI of which says that the declared nuclear weapons states—of which we are one—must take steps towards disarmament, and others must not acquire nuclear weapons. It has not been easy, but the NPT has helped to reduce the level of nuclear weapons around the world.

[Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)]

I am stunned to hear the argument that has just been made from the Tory Benches that we cannot disinvent nuclear weapons. That argument could be employed for chemical and biological weapons.

[Jeremy Corbyn]

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. We have achieved the chemical weapons convention, a ban on cluster weapons and other things around the world through serious long-term negotiation.