§ Q36. Mr. Lathamasked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on her proposals for the maintenance of an independent British nuclear deterrent.
§ The Prime MinisterI and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence have repeatedly made clear to the House the Government's determination to maintain the effectiveness of Britain's nuclear forces as an essential part of our contribution to the North Atlantic Alliance. At present we deploy a range of modern nuclear forces designed to play an effective role in NATO's strategy of deterrence, which has helped to maintain peace in Europe for over 30 years. The Chevaline programme to keep the Polaris force effective in the strategic environment of the 1980's is a firm indication of the importance which successive Governments have attached to the United Kingdom's independent deterrent. The replacement of Polaris with the Trident system in the early 1990's will enable us to continue to fulfil this vital role well into the next century. The importance of the contribution which the independent British nuclear force makes to NATO was recognised by our Allies in the communiqué issued following the recent ministerial meeting of the Nuclear Planning Group in Brussels. A copy of this communiqué has already been placed in the Library.