§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the running costs at current prices of Polaris for each year since the programme began.
§ Mr. SoamesThe running costs of Polaris from 1991–92, at 1993–94 prices, are as follows:
- 1991–92: £176,000,000
- 1992–93: £156,000,000
- 1993–94: £103,000,000
This includes the costs of manpower, stores and spares, refits and the in-service support of warheads, submarines and their weapons systems. The annual running costs of Polaris since it first entered service could be provided only at disproportionate cost.