Trident

Oral Answers to Questions — Defence – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 13 July 2009.

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Photo of Danny Alexander Danny Alexander Shadow Minister without Portfolio 2:30, 13 July 2009

When he expects the initial gate decision on the planned replacement of the Trident nuclear deterrent to be made; and if he will make a statement.

Photo of Bob Ainsworth Bob Ainsworth The Secretary of State for Defence

We currently expect to consider initial gate later this year.

Photo of Danny Alexander Danny Alexander Shadow Minister without Portfolio

I am grateful to the Secretary of State for that answer. However, given that a number of people, including retired military officers, former Defence Secretaries and academics, are now saying that Trident is both irrelevant and unaffordable, will the Secretary of State defer the initial gate process and the hundreds of millions of pounds that it would commit us to spending until a further, full debate in this place that takes into account the new financial and strategic circumstances?

Photo of Bob Ainsworth Bob Ainsworth The Secretary of State for Defence

Initial gate does not entail the commitments that the hon. Gentleman talks about, and the answer is no.