HL Deb 16 February 1983 vol 439 cc328-9WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the cost to the United States of operating the dual key system for the Thor missiles which were owned and operated by the British Government (House of Commons Written Answers 1st February 1983, col. 63), and what the cost for an equivalent arrangement for a British "finger on the safety catch" in relation to cruise missiles would be.

Lord Belstead

As was made clear at the time, Her Majesty's Government owned and manned the Thor missile system. With the small exception of the United States warhead custodial force, the cost of ownership and operation was borne by the United Kingdom. It is estimated that the cost to the United Kingdom of providing 160 ground-launched cruise missiles would be in the order off £1,000 million of capital expenditure with annual running costs of tens of millions.