USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS AGAINST IRAQ

Motion Text

That this House calls on the Government to make a categorical undertaking that it will not use nuclear weapons against Iraq in the event of any military action; notes that states with nuclear weapons are legally bound, as stated by the International Court of Justice, not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states; further notes that the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence have failed to rule out the use of nuclear weapons during any conflict with Iraq; further notes that the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that Iraq has no nuclear weapons capability; further notes that in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review the Government restated its assurance from 1978 that 'we would not use nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear state'; further notes that at the start of the 1991 Gulf War the then Prime Minister, the Right honourable John Major stated, 'we would not use them (nuclear weapons)'; realises that current United Kingdom Government policy not only devalues the deterrent role of nuclear weapons but diminishes the United Kingdom contribution to arms control; supports the New Agenda Coalition's declaration demanding the speedy, final and total elimination of nuclear weapons; and calls on the New Agenda Coalition Governments of Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and Sweden to indict the United Kingdom Government for breaking international law.