§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the costs of designing and testing the British-produced Trident warhead are included in the previously announced cost of Trident.
§ Mr. ButlerYes.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any tests are planned for the British-made Trident warhead; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButlerJoint United Kingdom/United States nuclear weapon tests are carried out at the Nevada test site, as part of the continuing development of our nuclear warheads and are necessary in order to maintain the effectiveness of the United Kingdom's nuclear capability.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the costs, in relation to the British-produced Trident warhead, of (a) design, (b) manufacture and (c) testing.
§ Mr. ButlerFor security reasons, and in accordance with the long-standing practice of successive Governments, costs of the defence nuclear programme cannot be revealed.