§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Western Isles (Mr. Macdonald) of 18 January,Official Report, column 505, what consideration underlies the decision not to make public the number of missiles or warheads actually deployed on Trident submarines; what assessment he has made of the effect of such publication on the effectiveness of the system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AitkenA disclosure of the actual deployed capability of our nuclear deterrent might enable a potential adversary to calculate what counter-measures might diminish or negate its effectiveness. For this reason it has been the practice of successive Governments not to make public the number of missiles or warheads actually deployed on our submarines.
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