London reviewing post-nuclear Scotland

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LONDON, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- British lawmakers said they were calling a defense analyst to address nuclear security should Scotland declare independence.

The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee said it would take evidence from Francis Tusa, editor of British monthly journal Defense Analysis, on the impact Scottish independence would have on British national defense.

The committee said it would ask Tusa about the impact of the removal of the Trident nuclear system should Scottish voters pass a single-question referendum in 2014.

"Other areas the committee will cover in the session include the prospects for Scottish non-nuclear defense provision in the event of independence and what the prospects will be for cooperation on defense matters between an independent Scotland and the rest of the U.K.," a statement from the House of Lords read.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond told the BBC last week that if his ruling Scottish National Party retained its leadership position in an independent Scotland, he would ban nuclear weapons.

The British government has the Trident nuclear missile system deployed at its Faslane Naval Base in Scottish territory. London would have to either relocate that Trident or "they could use nuclear facilities in America or France," the minister said.