8 Jan 2007 : Column 111W Trident
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his estimate is of the time it would take to procure further Trident D5 missiles. [108974]
Des Browne: As set out in paragraph 2-5 of the recent White Paper, "The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent, (Cm 6994), we believe that no further procurement of Trident D5 missiles will be necessary. Copies of the White Paper are available in the Library of the House.
TRIDENT & SUBMARINES & WASTE
8 Jan 2007 : Column 111W Trident
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what environmental impact assessments (EIAs) his Department has undertaken of the /(a)/ deployment, /(b)/ infrastructure facilities required for maintenance and /(c)/ facilities used for decommissioning redundant or replaced parts of the Trident nuclear weapons system; and whether these EIAs have been published. [105267]
Des Browne: The Ministry of Defence has undertaken a number of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in connection with the Trident nuclear weapons system. During the deployment of Vanguard Class submarines, EIAs are conducted whenever there is a requirement to do so, for example prior to the discharge of bilge water. Such EIAs are not published as to do so could enable deductions to be made on the operational location of the submarines and would, or would be likely to, prejudice the security of the United Kingdom.
For the infrastructure facilities required to support the maintenance of the system, an EIA was undertaken for Faslane and Coulport entitled “Proposed Development at the Clyde Submarine Base (Faslane and Coulport) Environmental Impact Assessment”. This was published in May 1984. The MOD also lodged an EIA in support of the D154 Project in Devonport with Plymouth City Council in 1994. No EIAs have yet been completed in respect of decommissioned redundant submarines.
TRIDENT
8 Jan 2007 : Column 99W
Nuclear Submarines
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the procurement timeframe is for the programme to build new Vanguard-Class ballistic missile submarines; at what stage he expects main gate approval; and if he will make a statement. [108798]
Des Browne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) on 12 December 2006, /Official Report/, columns 395-96W.
8 Jan 2007 : Column 100W
Nuclear Weapons
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will break down by main budget heading the costs of the new Trident nuclear deterrent. [109889]
Des Browne: Paragraphs 5-11 to 5-14 of the White Paper: “The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent” (Cm 6994), published on 4 December, set out our current estimate of the overall costs involved in sustaining our current independent statement. A more accurate breakdown is not yet available. Copies of the White Paper are available in the Library of the House.
8 Jan 2007 : Column 100W
Nuclear Weapons
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will prove a break down by main budget heading the costs of replacing the nuclear fleet with three submarines. [109955]
Des Browne: I have nothing further to add to paragraph 5-11 of the White Paper: “The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent” (Cm 6994), published on 4 December, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. At this very early stage of the procurement process, we are not in a position to break these estimates down in the way requested, for either a four or three submarine fleet.