Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour) on Monday, 19 January 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 January 1998. It was answered by Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Labour) on Monday, 26 January 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the Government's present policy towards disclosing the number of nuclear warheads deployed on Trident submarines and the date they entered service; and if he will comment on changes in Government policy in respect of disclosing such information.

Answer: Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Government's present policy towards disclosing the number of nuclear warheads deployed on Trident submarines and the date they entered service; and if he will make a statement on changes in Government policy in respect of disclosing such information. [24604] Mr. George Robertson: Details of the exact number of warheads deployed on our Trident submarines are covered by exemption 1 of the code of practice on access to government information relating to defence, security and international relations. The Government are considering, in the Strategic Defence Review, whether we can in future be more open about aspects of our nuclear capabilities.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 305 c27W; 24604
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Nuclear weapons Nuclear submarines Defence Review Trident Trident missiles