Government and Military

Ministry of Defence

Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB

4 September 1998

Dear Ms Zelter

Thank you for your letter of 1 August to the Prime Minister on Trident. This has been passed to the Ministry of Defence, and I have been asked to reply. I am afraid there is little I can usefully add to Cdr Simon Gilespie’s letter to you of 5 August. The Government is confident that Trident is not illegal. It is committed to the goal of the global elimination of nuclear weapons. It is working to that end, as clearly set out in the Strategic Defence Review. However, in the current security environment the Government has concluded that the minimum nuclear deterrent remains a necessary element of British security. I hope this explains the position.

Yours faithfully

Fiona J Hope

Assistant Private Secretary

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