HC Deb 24 July 1980 vol 989 cc358-60W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place or are planned to take place with the United States Government about the sale of nuclear material for the production of warheads for the Trident ballistic missile system; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Pym

Discussions about transfers of special nuclear materials between the United Kingdom and the United States under the Agreement for Co-operation on the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defence Purposes of 1958 as amended (Cmnds. 470 and 733) are a continuing process. Details must remain confidential.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what sort of factor increase in the number of British nuclear warheads he anticipates as a result of the decision to replace the Polaris missile system with Trident assuming (a) four submarines and (b) five submarines.

Mr. Pym

Trident 1 missiles can carry up to eight nuclear warheads, but it would not be in the national interest to disclose the number that will actually be carried on each missile or maintained for the force as a whole.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Trident ballistic missiles it is proposed to purchase from the United States of America and at what estimated cost at 1980 prices.

Mr. Pym

Each new submarine will be able to carry 16 Trident 1 ballistic missiles. The total number of missiles to be purchased will depend on whether we chose a four or five-boat force, and on the quantities needed for working spares and test firings, but is likely to be of the order of 100. Firm estimates of cost are not possible at this stage, both because they will depend on detailed decisions yet to be taken and because actual contract prices at the time of purchase cannot be forecast precisely.

The two Governments agree, however, that in very broad terms the capital cost for missile systems and related items—such as launch equipment—might be expected, at today's prices, to be somewhat over US $2,000 million for a four-boat force and in the order of US $2,500 million for a five-boat force.

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