"They can be absolutely confident that in the right conditions we would be willing to use our nuclear weapons," Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said.

Hoon also told MPs the possibility of terrorists acquiring weapons of mass destruction was a cause for "real anxiety" and something "we would have to guard against very seriously".

Britain's nuclear arsenal may not be enough to deter dictators like Saddam Hussein from targeting the country with weapons of mass destruction, Hoon warned.

He told a parliamentary defence committee that there was a prospect that some "states of concern" -- such as Iraq or Libya -- "might be capable of targeting the UK" within a few years' time.

His comments came in evidence to the committee's inquiry into controversial US plans for a missile defence system to protect against a ballistic missile attack.

Hoon reaffirmed that, as yet, the government had not decided whether to back such a system as it had not received any firm proposal from the US.

"Although the Cold War is over, we face new, emerging threats. It is right that we consider all possible elements of a comprehensive strategy," he said.

His comments are likely to been seen as part of a "softening up" process to prepare the ground for Britain to accept the US plans -- which could cover Europe -- once they come forward with definite proposals.

Much opinion here remains deeply opposed to the scheme, fearing it could trigger a new arms race.

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