§ 42. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the total cost of the proposed Polaris submarine fleet and its nuclear missiles, and of its annual cost of upkeep.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftAbout £400 million capital and about £25 million operating.
§ Mr. AllaunWould not this money be far better spent from the British point 1200 of view and from the peace point of view if it were spent on housing, pensions, health and helping the hungry nations? Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House of one circumstance in which a Polaris missile could be used against Russia without our country being wiped out in retaliation?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIf the hon. Gentleman reads the Answer, he will see that for a modest insurance of £25 million operating costs in the 'seventies, when the capital has been paid, we can have this deterrent under our own control. I would have thought that this was the cheapest investment that we had ever made.
§ Mr. KershawCan my right hon. Friend say what would be the approximate cost of cancelling the Polaris programme at this stage, and what other weapon could take its place?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftNo, Sir. I would not like to give such a figure, though it would be substantial; but the losses to this country would be in more than money.
§ Mr. McMasterCan my right hon. Friend say how many men would be unemployed in this country if the Opposition proposals for defence were accepted?