§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of state for Defence what has been the total cost in each of the last five years of acquiring and operating nuclear weapons and their delivery systems. [9670]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe strategic nuclear deterrent is the UK's only dedicated nuclear weapon delivery system. I refer the hon. Member to the Trident procurement and Polaris and Trident operating costs for 1991–92 and 1992–93 given in answer to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 27 October 1993,Official Report, column 702, for 1994–95 given in answer to the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) on 6 March 1996, Official Report, column 232, and for 1995–96 given in answer to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) on 26 November 1996, Official Report, column 193. The figure for 1993–94 is £1,082 million. The operating costs of the WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb and the Lance nuclear artillery system, which was withdrawn from service in 1992–93, are not recorded separately.