§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Defence which type of missile it is proposed will be purchased for the Trident missile system; and what additional design work will be required if the larger missile is purchased.
§ Mr. BlakerI refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 10 November to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith).—[Vol. 12, c. 410.]
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent additional SS20 missiles will be required to be installed by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to match the increased power of (a) the C4 and (b) the D5 Trident missiles; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BlakerNo sensible comparison can be drawn between the SS20 land-based long-range theatre nuclear missile, of which 250 have already been deployed, and the sea-based United Kingdom strategic nuclear deterrent, provided by Polaris submarines with 64 missile tubes, 209W which is to be replaced by Trident. The roles and operational capabilities of the two systems are entirely different.