HC Deb 24 February 1987 vol 111 cc211-2W
30. Mr. Forth

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on the cost of ordering the Tomahawk sea-launched cruise missiles for the Royal Navy following the publication of the document "Trident and the Alternatives"; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Stanley

My Department has received no representations specifically on this matter since the publication of Defence Open Government Document No. 87/01 "Trident and the Alternatives" on 30 January. As I said in the debate on the Royal Navy on 2 February at column 708, a United Kingdom minimum deterrent based on either sea-launched or air-launched cruise missiles would be likely to be about double the cost of Trident.

39. Mr. Greg Knight

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received about nuclear missiles following publication of his open Government document, "Trident and the Alternatives".

Mr. Stanley

No such representations relating directly to the publication of Defence Open Government Document No. 87/01 "Trident and the Alternatives" on 30 January have been received to date.

41. Mr. Sumberg

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received in favour of purchasing sea-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles for the Royal Navy, following the publication of "Trident and the Alternatives"; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Stanley

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Forth) earlier today.

44. Mr. Neale

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in response to the document "Trident and the Alternatives" if he has received any representations on the merits of the French M5 nuclear missile; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Stanley

My Department has received no representations specifically on this matter since the publication of Defence Open Government Document No. 87/01 "Trident and the Alternatives" on 30 January. As I said in the debate on the Royal Navy on 2 February at column 708, a switch to a French ballistic system has all the potential to cost the United Kingdom considerably more than the procurement of Trident D5.