§ Lord Beswickasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assumption is made about the cost of the Trident project when the statement is made that it represents an expenditure of 3 per cent. of total defence costs over 15 years; and what proportion of estimated costs of actual defence equipment over the same period is represented by this assumed Trident cost.
§ Viscount TrenchardThe Government's memorandumThe Future United Kingdom Strategic Nuclear Deterrent Force, published on 15th July 1980, stated that in broad terms the likely order of capital cost for a four boat Trident force would be about £4½—£5 billion spread over some 15 years; that this might absorb, on average, some 3 per cent. of total defence budgets between 1980 and 1995; and that the equipment element might absorb 5 per cent. of the equipment component of defence budgets over that period. In subsequent oral evidence to the House of Commons Defence Committee and a pursuant Supplementary Memorandum [Q1513—Q1521 (D7 1980/81) and HCDC 129/27 of the fourth report from the Defence Committee, Session 1980/81 (HC 36)] the Secretary of State for Defence explained that Trident was now likely to absorb 5 to 6 per cent. of likely equipment budgets over the 15-year period and the reasons for this change.