Trident Nuclear Programme 2023-11-20
2023-11-20
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The estimated costs of Trident's renewal are £31 billion with an additional £10 billion for contingency. There have been issues with containment and transportation of nuclear material, including a recent near-collision incident.
I am concerned about the estimated costs of Trident's renewal standing at £31 billion with a further £10 billion earmarked for contingency. Containment of nuclear material is problematic and there was a near-collision incident recently. Our party's freedom of information request on WMD movement in Scotland was rebuffed. Can the Secretary of State explain the lack of transparency and justify keeping Trident, especially given its cost and danger?
I profoundly disagree about abandoning the deterrent. It would be reckless for the party opposing it, which also wants to withdraw from NATO in light of Russian aggression. We support the deterrent and will continue investing in it.
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Assessment & feedback
Details on WMD movement transparency and costs were not addressed
Profound Disagreement
Reference To Opposing Party'S Policy
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Both main parties in the House of Commons support retaining and renewing the nuclear deterrent. There was a significant majority vote in favour of this in 2016.
Does the Minister share my relief that both main parties support retaining and renewing our nuclear deterrent? Did he also feel relieved when there was a massive majority of 355 votes for renewal, indicating how unrepresentative Scottish nationalist views are?
I am extremely grateful to my right hon. Friend for that remark and delighted that Labour agreed with us by nodding in response to our previous answer. We all agree that, particularly now, we need a deterrent against aggressive threats.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
There are reports about a malfunctioning depth gauge on a Vanguard submarine at sea.
Can I confirm again that Labour fully supports the nuclear deterrent for NATO allies? Can the Minister explain what steps he has taken to prevent incidents like a malfunctioning depth gauge on a Vanguard submarine from happening again?
I am delighted to confirm Labour's total support for the deterrent. On the specific incident, we do not comment on operational matters concerning our submarines.
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Assessment & feedback
Details of measures taken to prevent similar incidents were not provided
Refusal To Discuss Operational Details
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The nuclear enterprise has an uncapped budget, and there are concerns about the impact on conventional MOD spending.
I welcome the Secretary of State to their position. The nuclear enterprise has a vast budget that bleeds money from other areas like hospitals and schools. Given current financial constraints highlighted by recent media reports, what steps is his Department taking to ensure no further cuts to conventional forces or other sectors due to the Trident programme's costs?
The figure that matters is 80 million, representing the combined death toll from world wars. We have not had a third world war and it's not coincidental.
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Assessment & feedback
Details on budget-related measures to prevent cuts were completely avoided
Reference To Historical Context
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns about the aging Vanguard fleet and potential contingencies during its transition.
During the Vanguard transition, Whitehall made contingency plans in case of hull breakdowns. Can the Minister inform the House what discussions his Department is having regarding such contingencies for an almost 40-year-old Vanguard fleet?
The hon. Gentleman will not be surprised that we do not comment on this beyond saying we have had a continuous at-sea deterrent since 1969 and are proud of it.
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Assessment & feedback
Details on discussions about contingencies were completely avoided
Refusal To Discuss Operational Details
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns about the aging Vanguard fleet and potential contingencies during its transition.
During the Vanguard transition, Whitehall made contingency plans in case of hull breakdowns. Can the Minister inform the House what discussions his Department is having regarding such contingencies for an almost 40-year-old Vanguard fleet?
The hon. Gentleman will not be surprised that we do not comment on this beyond saying we have had a continuous at-sea deterrent since 1969 and are proud of it.
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Assessment & feedback
Details on discussions about contingencies were completely avoided
Refusal To Discuss Operational Details
Response accuracy