§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to store non-operational warheads. [54450]
§ Mr. George RobertsonOperationally available warheads are either deployed on Trident submarines or stored in secure facilities ashore. Warheads in the processing margin or required for technical surveillance purposes are also held at secure locations ashore. In addition, obsolete Chevaline warheads and a few WE177 weapons remain in storage awaiting dismantlement. Where Trident warheads are replaced rather than refurbished during their service life, those withdrawn will also be stored for periods pending dismantling. We plan to dismantle all surplus warheads as quickly as possible.