Written question asked by Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 23 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 March 2006. It was answered by Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 March 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Nuclear Deterrent

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Lynne Featherstone) of 2 March 2006, Official Report, column 873W, on the nuclear deterrent, when he expects the preparatory work on possible options for the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent to be completed; how many personnel are involved; and at what annual cost.

Answer: It is too early to say how long it might take to complete the preparatory work in advance of decisions on the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent. It remains the case that decisions are likely to be taken in the course of the current Parliament but, as I said during Defence Questions on 23 January 2006, Official Report, column 1153, I am unlikely to receive papers on this for some time.As I said during Defence Questions on 14 November 2005, Official Report, column 692, there are five people within my Department working full time on policy relating to the future of the UK deterrent. A number of other personnel are working part or full time on other aspects of this issue, but it is not possible to give a precise figure for the number of people involved in the process.On costs, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave previously to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on 14 June 2006, Official Report, columns 333–34.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 61840; 444 c1004-5W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Nuclear Deterrent
Monday, 14 November 2005
Oral questions
House of Commons; Nuclear Deterrence
Monday, 23 January 2006
Oral answers to questions
House of Commons; Nuclear Deterrence
Monday, 23 January 2006
Oral questions
House of Commons; Nuclear Weapons
Tuesday, 14 June 2005
Written questions
House of Commons; Nuclear Deterrent
Thursday, 2 March 2006
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Nuclear weapons
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk