§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Defence in the event of a delay in the development of the Trident programme, what financial penalties are invoked; and over what time scale.
§ Mr. PattieThere would be no financial penalties invoked between the United States and United Kingdom authorities under the Polaris sales agreement (which encompasses the purchase of Trident) or, as such, between Her Majesty's Government and participating British firms. The profits earned by British firms could, however, he affected by failure to meet delivery dates.