HL Deb 22 March 1982 vol 428 cc921-2WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will reconsider the adoption of Trident II and take some action calculated to halt the arms race.

Viscount Trenchard

The Government are determined to maintain the British independent deterrent in the most cost-effective form. Our Trident missiles will still only represent 3 to 4 per cent. of the Soviet strategic nuclear arsenal. The United Kingdom, the United States and all other NATO countries are taking every opportunity to make progress in arms control talks towards a balance of armaments at a lower level. We think that there are sound reasons to believe that multilateral and verifiable diarmament steps are now possible.

Viscount Mersey

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in view of the fact that the Trident programme will cost only 4p per person per day, they will raise the charge per person by 1p and build five submarines instead of four.

Viscount Trenchard

As was indicated in the Statement I. made to the House on 11th March (Official Report, cols. 320–322), given the increase in operational availability which the Trident submarines will have because of the new reactor and propulsion system, the adoption of a five-boat force would not be a sensible use of scarce resources. We believe that a four-boat force will be sufficient to meet our deterrent needs.

House adjourned at six minutes before nine o'clock.