§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of Stae for Defence what is his estimate of the cost of a dual control system for cruise missiles.
§ Mr. Ripponasked the Secretary of State for Defence over what period the estimated £1 billion cost of a dual key for cruise missiles based in the United Kingdom would be payable.
§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimats the cost of obtaining dual key control over the cruise missile which it is proposed to deploy; and if he will break down the total estimated cost into each constituent element.
§ Mr. BlakerAll dual key control systems have been based on the ownership and operation of the weapons systems involved (less the warheads). When the option of United Kingdom ownership and operation was being considered in 1979, a broad in-house estimate was made of the costs of providing a force of ground-launched Cruise missiles (GLCM) over a period of 10 years. At today's prices, the estimate for a force of 160 GLCMs would be of the order of £1 billion. The constituent elements of this cost include the purchase of the missiles, launchers and associated equipment, support and training equipment and spares but not the cost of the British Service personnel who would be required to operate and support the missile force during this period.