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<p>The fact there has been no major conflict between Nuclear Weapons States, and that
the United Kingdom has never needed to launch armed nuclear weapons, demonstrates
the effectiveness of our nuclear deterrent.</p><p>The nuclear deterrent exists to
deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, which cannot
be deterred by other means. It is not intended to deter or respond to all possible
threats or situations.</p><p>For details on the Government's actions in response to
the situation in Hong Kong, I refer the noble Lord to the reply given by the Minister
of State, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, to Lord Alton of Liverpool in response to Question
HL10654.</p>
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