§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if there will be a reduction in the number of warheads produced at Aldermaston as a result of the alterations to the United Kingdom's nuclear posture announced in the Strategic Defence Review; and if he will make a statement. [58144]
§ Mr. George RobertsonWe announced in the Strategic Defence Review that a stockpile of fewer than 200 operationally available nuclear warheads was required to meet our future needs, a reduction from the maximum of 300 announced by the previous Government. There will, therefore, be a reduction in the number of warheads produced at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (I) if all UK Trident missiles are(a) deployed, (b) held as part of a processing margin or (c) to be used in test firings; [58148]
(2) if the total holding of operational nuclear warheads, as revised by the Strategic Defence Review, provides the potential to deploy more than 48 warheads per Trident submarine; [58149]
(3) under what circumstances the Government would consider further reducing the number of nuclear warheads deployed on UK Trident submarines. [58150]
§ Mr. George RobertsonOur Trident operating posture, including the number of warheads deployed, is based on a rigorous assessment of the minimum necessary to provide credible deterrence. Should changes in strategic circumstances lead to a change in that assessment, we would make corresponding adjustments to our deployed posture. The Strategic Defence Review decisions on missile numbers and the stockpile of operationally available warheads are based on an assessment of the worst circumstances which might arise during Trident's life, however remote they may seem today, and thus provide potential to deploy additional weapons should that 71W ever become necessary. In addition, total stockpile numbers also take account of processing margins and, in the case of missiles, anticipated test firings.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the number of nuclear weapons held as a necessary processing margin or for technical surveillance purposes will increase as a result of the Strategic Defence Review. [55870]
§ Mr. George Robertson[holding answer 28 October 1998]There will be no increase in the number of nuclear weapons held as a processing margin or for technical surveillance purposes as a result of the Strategic Defence Review. However, there will be an increase in the number of nuclear warheads awaiting dismantlement.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any UK Trident missiles are deployed without nuclear warheads. [58151]
§ Mr. George RobertsonDisclosing the information requested would assist a potential adversary to calculate our capabilities and would therefore be harmful to deterrence. Consequently I am withholding the information under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Defence, Security and International Relations).
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the United Kingdom's sub-strategic nuclear capability deployed on Trident missiles has been reduced as a result of the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review compared with the previous Government's deployments. [58152]
§ Mr. George RobertsonWe stated in the Strategic Defence Review White Paper that each Trident submarine will carry the reduced load of 48 warheads when on deterrent patrol. This compares with the previous Government's announced ceiling of 96. The reduced load of 48 warheads will meet both our strategic and sub-strategic requirements in current Strategic circumstances. Details on the breakdown of this number is classified as this information could be used to provide insights into the precise capability of the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent. I am therefore witholding this information under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the cost implications of reducing the number of warheads deployed on UK Trident submarines; [58143]
(2) what financial savings will arise from the Government's revised total holdings of operational nuclear warheads. [58147]
§ Mr. George RobertsonThe decision in the Strategic Defence Review that the operationally available stockpile will consist of less than 200 warheads is expected to result in financial savings of some £22 million in the cost of the nuclear warhead programme over the next ten years. There will also be savings of some £50 million from the associated decision to limit to 58 the purchase of Trident missile bodies.