Summary
On 24 September 1996, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was opened for signatures. The treaty banned all nuclear tests - thus stopping new countries acquiring nuclear weapons, and existing nuclear-weapons states from developing new nuclear weapons. Alongside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it was hailed as a major step towards nuclear disarmament.
At the time, the Labour government played a key role in pushing for the treaty and in urging other countries to support it.
This briefing reveals:
- how now, 10 years on, the UK Government risks destroying the treaty;
- how billions of pounds are currently being invested in building hi-tech equipment at the Aldermaston nuclear weapons laboratory;
- that the new facilities planned for the site enable Aldermaston to design and build new nuclear weapons; and
- scientists' concerns that taking a high-tech approach to the virtual design and development of new nuclear weapons will inevitably lead to a return to full scale nuclear testing.
All this is happening prior to any parliamentary or public debate on whether the UK should build a nuclear weapons system. Fundamental questions such as: 'How are Cold War nuclear weapons relevant to 21st century foreign policy?' 'What real threats does the UK face?' and 'What effect would building a new bomb have on international disarmament negotiations?' - all remain unanswered.
