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2007 Synod debate and the Government White Paper

 

On 26 February 2007, the General Synod debated the Government's White Paper on The Future of the UK's Nuclear Deterrent. This debate was informed by a report produced by the Mission and Public Affairs Council (GS 1664).

The motion as passed reads:

'That this Synod recognising the fundamental responsibility of Her Majesty's Government to provide for the security of the country:

  1. welcome the response from the Mission and Public Affairs Council to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee's inquiry expressing serious questions about the proposed renewal of the UK's minimum deterrent;
  2. call on Christian people to make an informed contribution to the issues raised in The Future of Trident in the light of Christian teaching about Just War; and
  3. suggest to Her Majesty's Government that the proposed upgrading of Trident is contrary to the spirit of the United Kingdom's obligations in international law and the ethical principles underpinning them.'

Following the debate the Secretary General wrote to the Secretary of State for Defence on 5 March 2007 informing the government of the result of the General Synod debate. This letter, alongside the Defence Secretary's response of 12 March 2007 can be found on the Ministry of Defence's website as well as here.

The House of Commons Defence Select Committee produced its report on the Government's White Paper on 7 March 2007. This report quoted heavily from the Mission and Public Affairs Council's submission to the Defence Committee and shaped much of the subsquent parliamentary and political debate. Parliament voted on the matter on 14 March 2007. MPs voted 409 to 161 to replace Britain's submarine-based nuclear deterrent.

Following the vote in Parliament, public and political attention has turned to the question of the desirability and feasibility of Britain participating in a US sponsored ballistic missile defence system.  This is an issue that the former Board for Social Responsibility gave early consideration to when it submitted written evidence to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee's Inquiry into Ballistic Defence, December 2002.