Tomahawk Missiles (Hansard, 2 November 1999)

§ Mr. Menzies Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) planned order and (b) date of completion for each adaptation of Astute and Trafalgar class submarines to fire Tomahawk missiles; and if he will make a statement. [95968]

§ Mr. Hoon
The adaptation of HMS Triumph to fire Tomahawk missiles was completed earlier this year. Work on HMS Trafalgar is in hand. It is currently planned that the adaptation of the remaining Trafalgar Class submarines will be completed by about 2006.
HMS Astute and all subsequent submarines in this class are planned to be built Tomahawk-capable. The first three boats of the Astute Class are due to enter service between 2005 and 2008.
The precise order and date of adaptation of Trafalgar Class submarines would assist in deducing the availability of TLAM-capable boats for operational deployment, given the limited number of submarines involved. I am therefore withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

§ Mr. Menzies Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the United Kingdom total requirement for Block III Tomahawk missiles; how many have been(a) delivered and (b) used; and when he expects the Royal Navy to have the full complement of missiles required. [95969]

§ Mr. Hoon
The UK originally contracted to buy 65 Tomahawk missiles. Knowledge of the delivery schedule and the number used would assist a potential adversary to assess our stock level and operational capability. I am therefore withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

§ Mr. Menzies Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 July 1999,Official Report, columns 199-200, when the contract was signed with the United States Department of Defense for the replenishment on RN Tomahawk missiles; what are the delivery terms of the contract; how many replacement missiles will be purchased; at what cost to his Department; and if he will make a statement. [95974]

§ Mr. Hoon
A contract for 20 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles was signed on 1 August 1999. The cost will be met from the Reserve. Knowledge of the delivery schedule would assist a potential adversary to assess our stock level and operational capability. I am therefore withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.