Commentary on Sections Nuclear weapons Section 47 Use etc. of nuclear weapons
121.This section makes it an offence to knowingly cause a nuclear weapon explosion, develop, produce, transfer, possess or engage in military preparations to use or threaten to use a nuclear weapon. In this section “nuclear weapon” is taken to include nuclear explosive devices not intended for use as a weapon.
122.Subsection (6) makes the offences apply to acts outside the United Kingdom by a United Kingdom person.
123.Subsection (8) provides for the offence of knowingly causing a nuclear weapon explosion to cease to have effect under this Act on the coming into force of the Nuclear Explosions (Prohibitions and Inspections) Act 1998. That Act will come into force following the entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, and includes a similar offence.