USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS AGAINST IRAQ

Early day motion 637, tabled 3 February 2003 by Adam Price (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 22 members.

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.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, Plaid Cymru 4, Liberal Democrat 2, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.