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France: Military Alliances

Asked by James CartlidgeConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 21 July 2025UIN 67021

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled New Storm Shadow and missile cooperation to boost jobs as UK and France reboot defence relationship, published on 9 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the security level that French officials will be cleared to in order to engage with the UK on nuclear research in line with the UK-France Nuclear Partnership.

Answered by Maria Eagle

The UK and France work closely together on a range of nuclear research and technology matters, including as part of the 2010 TEUTATES Treaty. Our enhanced cooperation with France will not affect the UK’s sovereign nuclear capability which has always been and continues to be completely operationally independent.

There are mechanisms in place to ensure UK and French officials can engage on nuclear research with the appropriate levels of security.

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