HC Deb 20 February 1973 vol 851 cc48-9W
Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he is satisfied that the location of the Polaris missile-firing range does not constitute a danger to Cuba.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

Yes.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Minister of State for Defence (1) whether the missile which had to be destroyed after firing from HMS "Repulse" was a Polaris or a Poseidon missile;

(2) what were the special features of the Polaris test-firing which had to be destroyed.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

As I told the House on 16th February, this was a routine firing of a standard A3 Polaris missile without its nuclear warhead. It was destroyed because of a failure during the first stage of powered flight.—[Vol. 850, c. 435.]

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the cost of a test-firing from a Polaris submarine.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

About £1¼ million.

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