HC Deb 27 April 1995 vol 258 cc690-1W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's assessment of whether the United Kingdom deploys fewer nuclear warheads than any of the other four acknowledged nuclear weapon sates. [20568]

Mr. Soames

The United Kingdom deploys the minimum nuclear deterrent necessary for our security. The size of our nuclear stockpile is not determined by comparison with the number of nuclear warheads held by the other nuclear weapon states.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to deploy only nuclear weapons on the three Trident submarines in the operational cycle. [20570]

Mr. Soames

In addition to the Trident missile system, each submarine has a tactical weapon system, including Spearfish torpedoes, for self-defence.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the United Kingdom already has sufficient fissile material suitable for weapons purposes to meet any future contingencies which might require the deployment of additional nuclear warheads. [20565]

Mr. Soames

We have sufficient fissile material for explosive purposes to meet our foreseeable operational needs.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Her Majesty's Government's policy to cease the production of fissile material for explosive purposes will prevent the recycling of fissile material arising from the dismantling of decommissioned nuclear weapons for use in Trident warheads. [20564]

Mr. Freeman

No. Recycling allows us to keep our stockpile of fissile material at the minimum necessary to meet our operational requirements.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the production of Trident warheads has been completed. [20566]

Mr. Freeman

No.