Letter from the Clerk of the Committee
to the HCDC Liaison Officer, Ministry of Defence
As indicated in my previous letter, the Committee
intends in the autumn to consider further how it will examine
issues surrounding the decision on a replacement for the present
strategic nuclear deterrent. As the 2003 Defence White Paper noted,
and the Secretary of State has subsequently confirmed, a decision
on whether to replace Trident is likely to be required in this
Parliament.
I would be grateful therefore for a memorandum
setting out what work the MoD and other government departments
are doing to inform this decision; when more precisely the decision
is expected to be made; what constraints the UK is under in making
this decision (whether as a result of international agreements
or otherwise) what options for replacement are under consideration
and what estimates have been made of their costs; and which specific
elements of the nuclear deterrent will require replacing and upgrading
and by what dates (eg the missiles themselves, the submarines,
the warheads, command and control systems, transport maintenance
and storage systems).
The Committee has noted newspaper reports that
the Secretary of State has authorised officials to open negotiations
on a replacement for Trident with the United States government
and defence companies. The memorandum should cover where things
stand on these matters and on any other discussions, eg with other
nuclear powers or other parties.
The Committee would also be grateful for further
information on the facilities upgrade for AWE Aldermaston announced
on 19 July and in particular on what extra supporting infrastructure
will be required, what the planned operational life of the upgraded
facilities will be and what is the intended in-service life of
the existing Trident stockpile.
The Committee would also welcome any other information
which you believe would be relevant to its consideration of how
best to take forward its examination of these issues.
I would be very grateful to receive the memorandum
by 23 September.
26 July 2005
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