§ 30. Mr. Allan Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now answer questions on the source of fissile material for the Trident system.
§ Mr. PattieI have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) on 16 July 1981, at c. 480.
§ 36. Mr. Terlezkiasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the employment consequences of the building of the Trident strategic nuclear submarine system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PattieNo recent assessment has been undertaken. However, 55 per cent. of Trident costs (of which our latest published estimate is approximately £7,500 million at 1982–83 average prices) are expected to be spent in Britain. This represents a major investment in the UK's high technology industry. Major activities include the build of the new Trident class submarine, its new propulsion unit and tactical weapon system and the construction of new shore facilities at the Clyde submarine base. The Trident strategic weapon system (less its warhead) is being purchased from the United States, but arrangements have been made for UK industry to compete for subcontracts on the system. Orders won will create further employment for UK industry.
Work on the Trident programme will reach its peak in the early 1990s.