Memorandum from the West Midlands Campaign
for Nuclear Disarmament
1. We are glad to see that the possibility
of the non-replacement of the Trident system is included in the
considerations—And it will consider the linkage between
the Government's Defence Industrial Strategy and the decision
on retention, replacement or abolition of the UK's Trident system
(Defence Committee Operational Note, 21 July, paragraph 2).
2. We hope that the inquiry will ask not
only how the possible future of the UK nuclear weapons will affect
the UK manufacturing and skills base, but also on the wider question
of how desirable it is that this base should be dependent on the
military.
3. In particular, we hope the inquiry will
consider not only whether the extent to which the level of investment
[in AWE Aldermaston] is consistent with maintaining key skills
and infrastructure in the design and manufacture of nuclear warheads
and with the stewardship of the UK's existing nuclear stockpiles,
but also whether such investment is the best way of meeting the
UK's security needs.
4. Similarly, we hope the inquiry will consider
whether there is a better use of nuclear expertise than in the
military nuclear field.
31 August 2006
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