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Chapter Three
guarantee of our security. The sub-strategic nuclear capability permits a
wider range of options in circumstances where strategic action might not
be credible, but where conventional forces could not deter a major threat to the United Kingdom. This is discussed in detail on page [ ].
305.
Maintenance of an effective independent deterrent involves: nuclear research, development, production and testing expertise and facilities; a minimum SSBN strategic force, providing assurance that at
least one vessel can be at sea at all times, supported by secure, continuous real-time communications facilities covering the SSBN operating area;
access to support and maintenance facilities for SSBNs, missiles and
warheads; adequate conventional forces to safeguard deployment of the
SSBN force; and conventional forces to safeguard at all times the physical
security of nuclear assets as well as the command and control
infrastructure.
306. The United Kingdom commits all its nuclear forces to NATO under
Military Task 2.1; see paragraph [ ].
Military Task 1.2: Provision of a Nuclear Accident Response Organisation.
307. The Ministry of Defence would be the lead Government Department for the response to any incident or accident in the United Kingdom involving nuclear weapons, military nuclear materials or naval
reactors. The safety record established over some four decades of nudear
ownership is outstanding; and rigorous design, inspection and operating
procedures are observed to keep it so. Last July's report by the
Department's Chief Scientific Adviser on the safety of our nuclear weapons provided welcome corroboration of our confidence in their
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