HC Deb 29 October 1996 vol 284 c75W
23. Mr. John Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the progress of the Trident programme. [370]

Mr. Arbuthnot

The Trident programme is proceeding to time and within budget. HMS Vanguard and HMS Victorious are operational. The third submarine of the class, Vigilant, is being commissioned early next month and will enter service in 1998. The fourth vessel, Vengeance, is under construction at VSEL, Barrow in Furness, and will enter service around the turn of the century.