HL Deb 18 January 1982 vol 426 c515WA
Lord Beswick

asked 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 Trenchard

The 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.