Publication date: October 2006

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.