§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the 70 per cent. reduction in the explosive power of the UK's nuclear arsenal is matched by an equal reduction in the combined potential destructive power of each separately targetable warhead. [117094]
§ Mr. HoonThe Strategic Defence Review (SDR) announced that we need a stockpile of less than 200 operationally available warheads. Against levels at the end of the Cold War, this represents a reduction in the potential explosive power of the deterrent of more than 70 per cent. The SDR also made clear that the one Trident submarine on patrol would carry a reduced load of 48 warheads. The SDR did not refer to the potential explosive power of individual Trident warheads; such information remains classified.