*Nuclear Disarmament* *Mr. Hancock:* To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to publish confidence-building verification methodologies for monitoring nuclear disarmament; and if he will make a statement. [200304] * 24 Apr 2008 : Column 2179W* *Mr. Bob Ainsworth:* The Atomic Weapons Establishment is engaged in developing technical methods and processes for verifying multilateral nuclear disarmament both nationally and in co-operation with several Norwegian defence laboratories. Progress is presented periodically to the conferences of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and related fora. Additionally, in his speech to the Conference on Disarmament in February this year, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence proposed the development of confidence building activities among the five recognized Nuclear Weapon States (NWS). This proposal has generated considerable interest among the wider international community. We are engaging with the other NWS to consider how this initiative should be taken forward.