Letter: No nuclear peace

Sir: In answer to Dr Stephen Pullinger (letter, 28 November) it should be pointed out that nuclear weapons did not prevent the Falklands war nor the Gulf war nor countless wars since 1945 which have lost millions of lives.

There has to be a more imaginative response. The real threat to security will come not from states but from armed gangs. In this instance nuclear weapons would be useless. What would have been the point of nuclear weapons against the IRA?

Prevention by encouraging the growth of democracy and freedom is infinitely better than pouring billions into weapons that can never be used.

ANDREW J T KERR

Jedburgh,

Roxburghshire