Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Gordon Prentice (Labour). It was answered on Monday, 23 January 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Nuclear Deterrence

Question: The Prime Minister told us nine months ago that a decision would be taken in this Parliament on the replacement of Trident, and that he wanted to listen to the views of hon. Members. Is it my Friend's intention to publish a Green Paper setting out the options on this matter—we need not stick with just a submarine-based deterrent; there could be any number of other permutations—and will there be a vote in this Parliament on whether we retain our nuclear deterrent?

Answer: Just to correct my hon. Friend, the Prime Minister said that it was likely that—[Hon. Members: ““Ah!””] As accuracy is demanded of me in these matters, I am entitled to demand accuracy from my hon. Friends. The Prime Minister said that it was likely and preferable that the decision be taken in this Parliament. Indeed, lest Conservative Members again get excited without due reason, may I say that it would be not only preferable but my intention to see that decision taken in this Parliament? Now that everyone has calmed down, may I also say that my hon. Friend is right on his second point? That is that, quite apart from the principle about whether we retain a minimum nuclear deterrent, if we did so, there would be a range of options open to us. On his third point about our being fully prepared, I fully accept that there would need to be a discussion on both the principle and the means, if we decide to do so, of maintaining a minimum nuclear deterrent. There is plenty of time to discuss the exact method of doing that, and the exact voting patterns, which are a matter for the business managers, because there are no imminent decisions to be taken. Indeed, I have not even begun to consider the matter either in principle or in detail, nor have I received any papers on the principle or the detail from any officials. I am unlikely to do so for some time.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 441 c1152-3
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Related items: Nuclear Deterrent
Wednesday, 29 March 2006
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Trident Defence Nuclear weapons Proliferation
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk