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Mr. Corbyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of (a) the cost of Trident warheads, (b) their life and (c) the costs of disposal. [50392]
14 Jul 1998 : Column: 167
Mr. George Robertson:
The production costs for Trident warheads in the last financial year were £20 million. Taking into account decisions made in the Strategic Defence Review, our current estimate for the total production costs is some £300 million.
We expect the Trident warhead to be kept in service for the full planned 25 to 30 year life of the Trident force. Limited life warhead components will be replaced and the warheads refurbished as required during this period.
Warhead disposal costs will depend upon future plans for the use or disposal of fissile material from the warheads.
Mr. Corbyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of Trident warheads currently held; how many have been destroyed; and how many have been ordered. [50379]
Mr. George Robertson:
As stated in the Strategic Defence Review White Paper published on 8 July, (Cmd 3999), the United Kingdom will maintain an operationally available stockpile of fewer than 200 Trident warheads. Changes are being implemented to our warhead production plans to maintain the operationally available stockpile at this reduced level. Some warheads will also be required to provide a necessary processing margin and for technical surveillance purposes. I am withholding details of the exact number of Trident warheads currently held and information on Trident warhead production and decommissioning plans under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to Defence, Security and International Relations.
Dr. Tonge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the annual report on strategic exports to be published. [50610]
Mr. Spellar:
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) on 12 May 1998, Official Report, column 110.
14 Jul 1998 : Column: 168
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) establishment and (b) actual strengths of each (i) regular and (ii) TA infantry unit. [47209]
Dr. Reid:
The establishment and actual strength of each regular and TA infantry unit is detailed below. For completeness, the total establishment and strength of the Infantry Arm is also given.
Regular Infantry
Liability (establishment) | Strength | |
---|---|---|
Soldiers | 25,049 | 22,458 |
Officers | 2,739 | 2,726 |
Gurkhas | 2,101 | 2,555 |
The infantry deficit at soldier level is being addressed actively through the 'Manning the Army' strategy which aims to bring the Army to full strength by 2002.
The table shows the liability (establishment) and strength of soldiers by infantry unit. Owing to the nature of the cap badge system, only at soldier level can both the establishment and liability be shown in full. A similar breakdown for Infantry officers is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost and effort. Infantry officers, like all Army officers, fill a proportion of posts that are able to be filled from any cap badge, the only qualifying criteria being suitability and relevant experience.
The figures exclude those infantry personnel currently serving in posts away from their parent units.
14 Jul 1998 : Column: 167
Notes:
1. Includes Queen's Own Gurkha Officers Gurkha numbers decrease throughout the year (through retirement) until the annual intake at the end of the year
2. A similar breakdown for Infantry officers is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost and effort. Infantry officers, like all Army officers, fill a proportion of posts that are able to be filled from any cap badge, the only qualifying criteria being suitability and relevant experience
3. The figures for Territorial Army infantry units include both officers and soldiers
14 Jul 1998 : Column: 171
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