HC Deb 15 October 1991 vol 196 cc142-3W
18. Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest estimated cost of the Trident programme to date; and if he will make a statement.

19. Mr. Mullin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the latest estimate for the cost of the Trident submarine programme.

Mr. Alan Clark

The currently estimated cost for the United Kingdom Trident programme is £9,863 million at 1990–91 prices and an exchange rate of £1 =$1.56.

23. Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the Trident programme.

Mr. Alan Clark

The programme to replace Polaris with Trident is on time and within budget and continues to make satisfactory progress towards its in-service date of the mid-1990s.

29. Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the objectives of the Trident submarine programme.

Mr. Alan Clark

The objective of the Trident programme is to provide the minimum capability necessary to maintain an effective strategic nuclear deterrent into the next century.