§ Mr. Allenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what costs, at 1987 prices, would be incurred at each stage, if the United Kingdom withdrew from its contractual commitments with the United States of America on (a) the Trident submarines and (b) the nuclear weaponry to be carried by Trident.
§ Mr. SainsburyHer Majesty's Government remain firmly committed to the United Kingdom Trident project, and have no plans to withdraw from any of their related contractual commitments, either in the United States of America or elsewhere.
§ Mr. Allenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest estimated cost, at 1987 prices, of the Trident programme; and how this compares with the first estimate given to the House.
§ Mr. SainsburyAs announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 27 January this year, the current estimate for Trident is £9.265 million, at 1986–87 prices and £= $1.50. This represents a real reduction of some £738 million compared with the original 1982 estimate, over and above the savings resulting from the decision to process missiles in the United States.
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§ Mr. Allenasked the Secretary of State for Defence by which date he anticipates the Trident submarine will be armed and on patrol.
§ Mr. SainsburyAs has been stated on a number of occasions previously, Trident is planned to enter service in the mid-1990s.