10 March 2006: for immediate release
The Parliamentary Defence Select Committee has asked Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, to give oral evidence in their first inquiry into the possibility of replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system. This inquiry will explore the changing strategic context of the threats against Britain, with further inquiries to follow later this year. Ms Hudson, who also submitted written evidence to the Committee on behalf of CND, will give evidence on Tuesday 14 March at 10:30 am.
According to Ms Hudson, “In the early 1980s when the British government decided to purchase the Trident nuclear weapons system, Britain faced a perceived threat from the nuclear-armed Soviet Union. Britain is now on friendly terms with Russia and no longer faces a threat from any nuclear-armed nation. The government has declared terrorism to be the biggest threat facing Britain. Tony Blair has admitted that nuclear weapons are of no use against terrorism. Now is the time to initiate nuclear disarmament in Britain and promote multilateral disarmament abroad. This will bring us into line with our obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. This is the way to genuine security for Britain and the world, not planning a new generation of nuclear weapons and embracing first use policies, which will cause further proliferation and global instability.”
She continued, “We have seen in the past how courageous initiatives can lead to substantial disarmament, and the international situation cries out for another such initiative. A decision by Britain not to replace Trident would be such a move. It would help to restore confidence in the possibility of NPT compliance and would demonstrate that relations between nations, and resolution of their security concerns, can be built in the framework of international law.”
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Notes to Editor:
1. For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman, CND’s Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
2. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 32,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere.