§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the recent disarmament proposals of either President Bush or President Gorbachev claim to have any bearing on the intended acquisition by Her Majesty's Government of United States Trident missiles, and if so how; and whether Her Majesty's Government has responded in any way to either President.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (The Earl of Arran)The Government have warmly welcomed the proposals of Presidents Bush and Gorbachev to reduce their nuclear arsenals, and have announced reductions in the UK's own nuclear forces. However, as the Prime Minister made clear on 6th October, Trident is the essential minimum deterrent that we need.