Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
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The replacement of Trident, the future and the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
As you may know the UK has reduced its nuclear forces to those deployed in four Trident missile submarines. All tactical nuclear weapon systems have been taken out of service including freefall bombs and depth charges. Compared with other nuclear powers, the UK now has fewer operational warheads than the USA, Russia, France, or China. The major procurement costs of Trident (£13bn) have been spent. The basic annual cost of the nuclear force is some £687M or about 3% of the defence budget.
However, for nuclear non-proliferation and weapons reduction to be achieved, nuclear armed countries such as Britain must be willing to participate in a disarmament process and seek to achieve multinational engagement.
The Lib Dems believe that the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty remains at the heart of nuclear weapons control: without sustained efforts to ensure international adherence to its provisions, the Treaty itself could be placed in jeopardy.
The Trident system has been designed for a 30-year deployment. A decision on any replacement deterrent system will not have to be made until the end of the decade. Personally, I remain to be persuaded that any life-extension to the Trident force will be justified. I also feel strongly that any decision on whether to commit any research or other funding for the preparation of any successor to Trident must be first approved by Parliament.