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BEYOND TRIDENTArchive of Parliamentary Developments 2006For the latest coverage go to: http://www.basicint.org/nuclear/beyondtrident. Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent
- Hansard, 19 December 2006 Letters "ensure nuclear deterrent future" - No. 10
website, 19 December 2006 The Future of the UK's Strategic Nuclear Deterrent: the Manufacturing
and Skills Base by the House of Commons Defence Committee,
Fourth Report of Session 2006-07, 19 December 2006. UK Nuclear Deterrent - Hansard, 18 December 2006 Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation - Hansard, 18 December
2006 UK Nuclear Weapons Capability - Hansard, 14 December
2006 Vanguard Submarines - Hansard, 14 December 2006 Trident - Hansard, 12 December 2006 UK Nuclear Stockpile - Hansard, 12 December 2006 Vanguard Submarine - Hansard, 12 December 2006 Nuclear Submarines - Hansard, 11 December 2006 Trident - Hansard, 11 December 2006 Nuclear Weapons - Hansard, 11 December 2006 Defence Committee to inquire into the White
Paper on the Future of the UK's Nuclear Deterrent, 6 December
2006 PM outlines plans for nuclear deterrent,
10 Downing Street Press Release, 4 December 2006 Press briefing from the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman
on: Trident and White Paper, 10 Downing Street, 30 November
2006 The Future of the UK's Strategic Nuclear Deterrent: the manufacturing and skills base Defence Committee Oral Evidence' by Lord Drayson, Minister for
Defence Procurement; Mr David Gould, Deputy Chief Executive, Defence
Procurement Agency; Mr Nick Bennett, Director General Strategic
Technologies; Rear Admiral Andrew Mathews, Director General Nuclear
(afternoon) and by Mr Bernie Hamilton, National Officer for Aerospace
and Shipbuilding, Amicus; Mr Keith Hazlewood, National Secretary,
Engineering Section, GMB; Mr Bob King, Chief Negotiating Officer,
Prospect; Mr Terry Waiting, Chair, Keep Our Future Afloat Campaign;
Dr Kate Hudson, Chair, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; Dr Dominick
Jenkins, Senior Disarmament Campaigner, Greenpeace (morning), 21
November 2006. Nuclear Deterrent House of Commons Hansard, 21 November 2006 John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what preliminary
estimates his Department has made of the cost of a new generation
of nuclear deterrent based on the Trident system. Des Browne: We
have indicated that a White Paper will be published once decisions
have been taken later this year on the future of the nuclear deterrent.
This White Paper will set out the results of the preparatory work
which has been under way on risks, threats, options and costs. Non-proliferation Treaty House of Commons Hansard, 21 November 2006 Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans she has for the implementation of Article 6 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; and if she will make a statement. Dr. Howells: The UK is committed to the full implementation of all articles in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The UK has a good record in fulfilling its disarmament obligations under Article VI and is widely recognised as the most forward leaning nuclear-weapons state in this regard. We will continue to press for multilateral negotiations towards mutual, balanced and reliable reductions in nuclear weapons. Trident Hansard 21 November 2006 Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs if she will make it her policy to offer not to replace the
Trident nuclear weapons system in return for the Government of (a)
North Korea and (b) Iran discontinuing their nuclear weapons programmes;
and if she will make a statement. Dr. Howells: Iran and North Korea
signed up to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as non-nuclear
weapon states. Development of nuclear weapons programmes would be
in direct contravention of their legal obligations under the NPT
not to acquire or seek to acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear
explosive devices. We continue to call on them to respect these
obligations and abandon their weapons programmes. In contrast, the
UK is recognised under the NPT as a nuclear weapon state. Ministers
are considering the issues involved in the question of whether or
not to replace the Trident system but final decisions have yet to
be taken. Safer Britain, Safer World by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, 21 November 2006. CND today launched an Alternative White Paper on Trident Replacement
at a press conference in Westminster. Six MPs spoke in favour of
the initiative at the press conference, with supporting statements
from an additional four. The Future of the UK's Strategic Nuclear Deterrent: the manufacturing and skills base Defence Committee Oral Evidence' by Mr Murray Easton, Mr Steve
Ludlam, Mr Peter Whitehouse, Mr Ron Grant, Mr Jim Morrison and Mr
Joe Oatley, 7 November 2006. Atomic Weapons Establishment Hansard 7 November 2006 Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Atomic Weapons Establishment (a) has conducted and (b) is conducting studies of a hydrodynamic testing facility involving fix x-ray machines. Des Browne: As part of the site development strategy at the Atomic Weapons Establishment a study has been initiated into refurbishing and rebuilding the existing hydrodynamics research facilities. It is likely that any new facilities will involve the use of flash x-rays. The study is ongoing. Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Atomic Weapons Establishment has conducted studies of the use of hydrodynamic test facilities for maintaining the security and reliability of the UK nuclear deterrent. Des Browne: Hydrodynamics testing is an essential element of the nuclear warhead assurance programme. An article on stockpile stewardship was published in 'Nature' on 21 February 2002 which included explanations on the need for hydrodynamic trials in the comprehensive test ban treaty era. Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Atomic Weapons Establishment is considering new hydrodynamic testing facilities. Des Browne: We are replacing facilities as necessary to maintain the safety and reliability of the UK stockpile. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) scientists, (b) engineers and (c) technicians the Atomic Weapons Establishment is planning to hire over the next five years; and in what areas of expertise. Des Browne: Based upon current contract assumptions, AWE plc is
planning to recruit in the order of (a) 60 scientists, (b) 180 engineers,
and (c) 50 technical support personnel in each of the next two years.
The areas of expertise are diverse, and will include chemistry,
computer science, materials science, nuclear physics, chemical engineering,
decommissioning and waste management, civil engineering, manufacturing,
metallurgy, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering,
assurance, laboratory support and IT/telecommunications. The company
has indicated that it has not formulated any firm plans for recruitment
beyond this period. Trident Hansard 7 November 2006 Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what dates he will (a) publish the proposed White Paper and (b) hold the proposed parliamentary debate and vote on the replacement of Trident by a new generation of the nuclear deterrent. Des Browne [holding answer 1 November 2006]: It remains our intention
that decisions on the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent will
be taken later this year, following which we will publish a White
Paper. There will then be a parliamentary debate and a vote. It
is too early to set out a more specific timetable. Trident Replacement House of Commons Hansard, 30 Oct 2006 : Column 113W Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the white paper on options for the replacement of Trident. Des Browne: It remains our intention that decisions on the future of the UK’s nuclear deterrent will be taken later this year, following which we will publish a White Paper. Nuclear Weapons House of Commons Hansard, 26 Oct 2006 : Column 2017W Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts on the future of the UK nuclear deterrent. Des Browne: It remains our intention that decisions on the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent will be taken later this year. Officials are now working to prepare for these decisions and, as part of this work, we are getting information from a variety of sources. I am withholding the detail of any specific discussions with other Governments as this would, or would be likely to prejudice international relations. Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the level of national security of UK allies who have chosen not (a) to retain and (b) to obtain a nuclear weapons capability. [95217] 26 Oct 2006 : Column 2018W Des Browne [holding answer 19 October 2006]: We do not make assessments of the national security arrangements of our NATO allies. Trident House of Commons Hansard, 26 Oct 2006 : Column 2019W Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the costs of decommissioning the (a) submarines and (b) missiles and warheads of the current Trident system. Des Browne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 July 2006, Official Report, column 778W to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport West (Paul Flynn). The indicative decommissioning liabilities are subject to periodic review. Nuclear Weapons House of Commons Hansard, 23 Oct 2006 : Column 1525W Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many countries offer the reason of ultimate guarantor of national security for the maintenance of a nuclear weapons capability. Des Browne: The Government's position has long been that Trident is the ultimate guarantor of the UK's national security while we press for multilateral negotiations towards mutual, balanced and verifiable reductions in nuclear weapons. The UK is committed to working towards a safer world, free from nuclear weapons. The reasons why other countries maintain a nuclear weapons capability are a matter for them. Trident House of Commons Hansard, 16 Oct 2006 : Column 994W Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer of 13 July 2006, Official Report, column 1945W, on Trident, what the estimated service life is of the Trident warhead pit. Des Browne: I am withholding details of the estimated life of the Trident warhead pit as its disclosure would prejudice the defence of the United Kingdom. Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to upgrade the Stronglink and Weaklink safety systems on the Trident warhead. Des Browne: I am withholding this information as its disclosure would prejudice the security of the United Kingdom. Trident House of Commons Hansard, 12 Oct 2006 : Column 815W Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research his Department has carried out to verify the integrity of software created and tested in the US for the UK shore-based target planning system for Trident. Mr. Ingram: The UK shore-based target planning system for Trident is validated through a range of UK and US research programmes. UK experts then independently verify the system against requirements before issuing it to Royal Navy submarines. Trident House of Commons Hansard, 9 Oct 2006 : Column 190W Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 20 July 2006, Official Report, column 597W, to the hon. Member for Angus (Mr. Weir), on Trident, what the reasons are for the increase in the annual expenditure for capital and running costs of the Trident nuclear deterrent to between 5 and 5.5 per cent. of the defence budget in 2006-07. Des Browne: The increase is due primarily to the programme of additional investment in sustaining key skills and facilities at the Atomic Weapons Establishment announced by my right hon. Friend the Member for Airdrie and Shorts (John Reid) on 19 July 2006, Official Report, column 59WS. AWE Aldermaston House of Commons Hansard, 2 Oct 2006 : Column 2562W Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the latest estimate is of total capital spending on AWE Aldermaston (a) in 2006-07 and (b) in each of the next three years. Des Browne [holding answer 13 September 2006]: The currently planned capital expenditure at the two AWE sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield is in the order of £340 million in 2006-07 and £420 million for 2007-08, both at outturn prices. Spending plans for subsequent years have yet to be finalised. Trident House of Commons Hansard, 2 Oct 2006 : Column 2578W Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much it will cost to maintain the Trident weapons system between 2007 and 2020. Des Browne: The annual expenditure on capital and running costs of the Trident nuclear deterrent, including costs for the Atomic Weapons Establishment, is expected to be between 5 and 5.5 per cent. of the Defence budget in 2006-07 and 2007-08. Spending plans for subsequent years will be set as part of the Government's Spending Review process. For the latest coverage go to: http://www.basicint.org/nuclear/beyondtrident. Back to Nuclear and WMD |
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