Does the hon. Gentleman understand that Trident is being used every day? Every moment that we have continuous at-sea deterrence, Trident is being used. The fact that it is never fired in anger is a symbol of its success.

Does the hon. Gentleman understand that Trident is being used every day? Every moment that we have continuous at-sea deterrence, Trident is being used. The fact that it is never fired in anger is a symbol of its success.

Will my right hon. Friend give way?

Will my right hon. Friend give way?

Will my right hon. Friend give way on that point?

Will my right hon. Friend give way on that point?

What level of threat assessment would require us to go back up the ladder and reinstate CASD, and how quickly could that be done if it had been abandoned at this point?

What level of threat assessment would require us to go back up the ladder and reinstate CASD, and how quickly could that be done if it had been abandoned at this point?

I will begin by saying that this is not the most comprehensive review of this subject carried out in recent years: the previous Labour Government carried out a comprehensive review. I can say that with some confidence, because one of the first things I did as Defence Secretary when we...

I will begin by saying that this is not the most comprehensive review of this subject carried out in recent years: the previous Labour Government carried out a comprehensive review. I can say that with some confidence, because one of the first things I did as Defence Secretary when we...

It is not possible to put in monetary terms the risk that moving to a two-boat fleet would pose to the UK. They are completely different currencies. It is ridiculous to say that there would be a £4 billion saving, given the monumental disruption it would cause to our submarine-building...

It is not possible to put in monetary terms the risk that moving to a two-boat fleet would pose to the UK. They are completely different currencies. It is ridiculous to say that there would be a £4 billion saving, given the monumental disruption it would cause to our submarine-building...

rose—

rose—

We are talking about building a system that will protect us against the potential risks in 20, 30 or 40 years. The year before the Berlin wall came down, no one could have predicted the world we would be in today. No one can predict what the world will look...

We are talking about building a system that will protect us against the potential risks in 20, 30 or 40 years. The year before the Berlin wall came down, no one could have predicted the world we would be in today. No one can predict what the world will look...

Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that the figures are actually worse than that? The savings that the Chief Secretary set out will not accumulate until far later in the period, while the costs that the hon. Gentleman is describing would be incurred very early in the process.

Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that the figures are actually worse than that? The savings that the Chief Secretary set out will not accumulate until far later in the period, while the costs that the hon. Gentleman is describing would be incurred very early in the process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 29 June 2011, Official Report, column 50WS, on nuclear deterrent, whether any multilateral verification provisions have been put in place in relation to the warhead reduction programme on Vanguard class submarines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 29 June 2011, Official Report, column 50WS, on nuclear deterrent, whether any multilateral verification provisions have been put in place in relation to the warhead reduction programme on Vanguard class submarines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2011, Official Report, column 675W, on Trident, whether he has made an assessment of whether, if the funding allocated for the replacement of Trident were invested in other capabilities in the defence and security economy,...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2011, Official Report, column 675W, on Trident, whether he has made an assessment of whether, if the funding allocated for the replacement of Trident were invested in other capabilities in the defence and security economy,...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what alternatives his Department has considered to the nuclear deterrent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what alternatives his Department has considered to the nuclear deterrent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the study to review the costs, feasibility and credibility of alternative systems and postures to the Trident missile delivery system will include the use of deterrents such as the intelligence services, Special Forces, or other capabilities available in the defence and...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the study to review the costs, feasibility and credibility of alternative systems and postures to the Trident missile delivery system will include the use of deterrents such as the intelligence services, Special Forces, or other capabilities available in the defence and...

(2) what assessment he has made of the aims of (a) the British American Security Information Council, (b) the Ploughshares Fund and (c) the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in the sponsoring of a Trident Commission; and what influence he expects the conclusions of that commission to have on Government policy.

(2) what assessment he has made of the aims of (a) the British American Security Information Council, (b) the Ploughshares Fund and (c) the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in the sponsoring of a Trident Commission; and what influence he expects the conclusions of that commission to have on Government policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Government's policy is on the (a) retention and (b) full replacement of the Trident independent nuclear deterrent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Government's policy is on the (a) retention and (b) full replacement of the Trident independent nuclear deterrent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what reports he has received on the role of (a) the British American Security Information Council, (b) the Ploughshares Fund and (c) the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in promoting opposition to the continuation of the UK's independent nuclear deterrent; and if he...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what reports he has received on the role of (a) the British American Security Information Council, (b) the Ploughshares Fund and (c) the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in promoting opposition to the continuation of the UK's independent nuclear deterrent; and if he...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the (a) consequences of and (b) risks entailed by any move away from the policy of continuous at-sea nuclear deterrence; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the (a) consequences of and (b) risks entailed by any move away from the policy of continuous at-sea nuclear deterrence; and if he will make a statement.