HC Deb 26 April 1988 vol 132 cc193-4
8. Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the increase in the cost of the pressurised water reactor for the Trident submarine; and what are the implications for the total cost of the Trident project.

13. Mr. Sedgemore

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the increase in the cost of the pressurised water reactor for the Trident submarine; and what are the implications for the total cost of the Trident project.

Mr. Younger

There has been no increase for some time in the estimate of cost for the pressurised water reactor for Vanguard class submarines and none is expected.

Mr. Madden

Is not the Secretary of State not concerned about the widespread suspicion that the Government are concealing the true cost of Trident and that many believe that its true cost is now running at more than £11,000 million, which represents £30,000 a day over the next 1,000 years? Does the Secretary of State not recognise that many of my constituents, who face big cuts in National Health Service facilities, would much prefer to see taxpayers' money put into the National Health Service to rebuild it rather than that this enormous amount of money should be spent on Trident? If Trident is so popular and so important, why do the Government not establish a national lottery to pay for it and scrap the one that they are planning for the National Health Service?

Mr. Younger

I am not sure where the hon. Gentleman gets his facts from. We have substantially reduced the cost of the Trident programme. In particular, there has been a reduction of no less than £376 million—a real reduction —according to the most recent calculations. I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman and his constituents would be very pleased about that. Expenditure on the National Health Service is very much greater than that on defence, and that is probably quite right, but the presence of nuclear weapons, if they maintain our security, is an essential prerequisite for the National Health Service to operate at all.

Mr. John Browne

Does my right hon. Friend accept that the Government's prime duty is the defence of the realm and that at a time of less obvious threat the Government must never let weakness be the cause of war? Will he therefore confirm his commitment to Trident—that it is a form of insurance, and almost cheap at the price?

Mr. Younger

I agree entirely with my hon. Friend's assessment of the position. It is worth noticing that this Government's extremely successful economic record is enabling us both to afford adequate defence and to give increased funds to the National Health Service.

Mr. Home Robertson

If the Secretary of State wants information on the costing of submarine systems, I suggest that one of the best places to look is on the beach at Helensburgh, near the Clyde submarine base. Has he made any representations to the United States military authorities about that subject, or has he received any representations from them?

Mr. Younger

I have had no complaints of that sort, but the Trident programme is creating a very large number of jobs in the Dunbartonshire area, and I am sure that very many people and their families appreciate that fact.