§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department expects to complete the dismantlement of those WE177 warheads that have been withdrawn from operational service; what is the cost incurred to date; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AitkenThe dismantlement of those WE177 warheads that have been withdrawn from operational service is due to be completed by the end of next year. It is not our practice to disclose costs of nuclear warhead programmes.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the continuing strategic rationale for maintaining the WE177 alongside the Trident submarines until 2007.
§ Mr. AitkenTrident will have the capacity to contribute to the sub-strategic role on entering service, but we judge that in current circumstances WE177 will continue to make a worthwhile contribution to our overall deterrent posture for a number of years.