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Cabinet debating nuclear future Trident vote due 'early in 2007'
(about 3 hours later)
Ministers are expected to discuss the future of Britain's nuclear weapons system for the first time at the weekly meeting of the Cabinet. MPs will vote early in 2007 on whether Britain's nuclear weapons system should be replaced, Downing Street has said.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has already announced he and Chancellor Gordon Brown support Trident's replacement. Ministers are to outline their favoured option - expected to be to replace the Trident weapons system - in a White Paper to be published in December.
But there have been reports that at least three members of the Cabinet are unhappy with that position. The vote will then follow a three month public consultation on that plan.
Campaign groups have said they are concerned a decision has already been taken on Trident's future. Ministers say a decision needs to be taken now to ensure any replacement is ready for the scheduled end of the Trident system's life in 2024.
Britain has 16 Trident missiles, based on four nuclear submarines, providing a total of 200 warheads. Anti-nuclear campaigners say they fear a decision has already been taken on Trident's future.
Ministers discussed the issue at length for the first time during their Cabinet meeting on Thursday.
Defence 'essential'Defence 'essential'
But they will reach the end of their operational life by the year 2024 and a decision is needed if they are to be replaced in time. Britain has 16 Trident missiles, based on four nuclear submarines, providing a total of 200 warheads.
Mr Blair told MPs on Wednesday it was "important" the UK maintained its independent nuclear weapons system.Mr Blair told MPs on Wednesday it was "important" the UK maintained its independent nuclear weapons system.
TRIDENT MISSILE SYSTEM Missile length: 44ft (13m)Weight: 130,000lb (58,500kg)Diameter: 74 inches (1.9m)Range: More than 4,600 miles (7,400km)Power plant: Three stage solid propellant rocketCost: £16.8m ($29.1m) per missile Source: Federation of American Scientists How Trident worksTRIDENT MISSILE SYSTEM Missile length: 44ft (13m)Weight: 130,000lb (58,500kg)Diameter: 74 inches (1.9m)Range: More than 4,600 miles (7,400km)Power plant: Three stage solid propellant rocketCost: £16.8m ($29.1m) per missile Source: Federation of American Scientists How Trident works
He has said before it was an essential part of Britain's ability to defend itself.He has said before it was an essential part of Britain's ability to defend itself.
Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell asked him for an assurance that MPs would have a vote on whether or not to replace the Trident system. His most likely successor, Gordon Brown, has also indicated he backs the UK keeping its own nuclear weapons system.
Mr Blair said a White Paper outlining options would be published this year, adding he was sure MPs would have a vote - he has previously promised a full debate before a decision is made. Supporters say Trident is needed to to deter any threat - particularly at a time when countries like North Korea and Iran harbour their own nuclear ambitions.
Supporters say Trident largely exists to deter any threat - particularly at a time when countries like North Korea and Iran harbour their own nuclear ambitions.
But critics say the cost of replacing Trident - estimated at up to £25bn - would be better spent elsewhere, particularly as nuclear weapons would be useless in the fight against international terrorism.But critics say the cost of replacing Trident - estimated at up to £25bn - would be better spent elsewhere, particularly as nuclear weapons would be useless in the fight against international terrorism.
Cabinet pressureCabinet pressure
The Times reported that Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett, International Development Secretary Hilary Benn and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain had concerns about replacing or extending Trident. MPs on the Commons defence committee, who are looking at the issue, are also considering a "middle way" of overhauling, rather than replacing, the submarine fleet carrying the US-made Trident missiles.
Defence minister Lord Drayson has said the White Paper would discuss whether to replace the current submarine-based missiles with a land-based or aircraft-based system. Labour MP Kevan Jones said the US was extending the life of its submarines up to 2042 - which meant a decision on replacement was not needed until the mid 2020s.
Defence minister Lord Drayson said earlier this week the White Paper would look at whether to replace the current submarine-based missiles with a land-based or aircraft-based system.
It would set out options, including highlighting the government's preferred one.It would set out options, including highlighting the government's preferred one.
Campaigners say Trident should be scrapped
But campaigners say they fear the government has already decided to go-ahead with replacing Trident.But campaigners say they fear the government has already decided to go-ahead with replacing Trident.
John Sauven, of Greenpeace, said: "We have heard that Margaret Beckett is opposed to Trident. We have heard Peter Hain is opposed to Trident. Kate Hudson, chairman of CND - the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament - said a White Paper could "close down" the wider debate.
"We have heard some of the Tory grandees like Michael Ancram are opposed to Trident. The same in the Liberal Democrat Party.
"But I still get the impression that there will be pressure put on them and, as always, the Cabinet might have an argument, but then Tony Blair will say 'this is the decision and you are going to stick by it'."
Kate Hudson, chairman of CND - the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament - said a White Paper could "close down" the wider debate and she would prefer to see all the issues discussed.
She said: "Many MPs for example support that idea. A Green Paper would lay out all the possible alternatives including of course the possibility of non-replacement."