HC Deb 16 July 1996 vol 281 cc483-4W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Trident submarines there are in the Trident programme; how many have been acquired; and how many are on station at any given time. [37393]

Mr. Arbuthnot

There are four submarines in the Trident programme; so far two have entered service. It is not our practice to give details of the dispositions of the strategic nuclear deterrent.

Mr. Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department expects to commission the last Trident submarine in its programme. [37392]

Mr. Arbuthnot

HMS Vengeance, the fourth Trident submarine, will enter service around the turn of the century.

Mr. Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the additional contribution of the last Trident submarine to the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent capability. [37394]

Mr. Arbuthnot

The four boat Trident fleet will guarantee continuous deterrent patrols throughout the planned 25-year life of the submarines, which includes periods for refit.

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