We have already made reductions to our nuclear arsenal on a national basis. Our deterrent is set at a minimum consistent with our security needs. I shall try not to repeat what I said in answer to the noble Lord's Question yesterday. But while we welcome the recognition in the Canberra Commission report that nuclear arms control can be negotiated only between the nuclear weapon states themselves, I have to disagree that the role of deterrence has disappeared. As I said, disarmament measures cannot be divorced from the broader global security context.
Deterrence continues to make a substantial and essential contribution to European security.
We are not lagging behind. Our deterrent will then be 21 per cent. My Lords, the noble Lord is once again absolutely right. I shall not comment on his reference to the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins of Putney. But we must have a sense of proportion about what is going on and stick to the facts.