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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Ministers 'to back nuclear arms' | Ministers 'to back nuclear arms' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A new generation of nuclear weapons is expected to be backed in a government white paper to be published on Monday. | |
| Ministers will outline their preferred option for Britain's nuclear arms capability. The lifespan of the current Trident missile system ends in 2024. | Ministers will outline their preferred option for Britain's nuclear arms capability. The lifespan of the current Trident missile system ends in 2024. |
| The Observer on Sunday reported Tony Blair would pledge to consider reducing both submarines and warheads, in a gesture to Labour's nuclear critics. | The Observer on Sunday reported Tony Blair would pledge to consider reducing both submarines and warheads, in a gesture to Labour's nuclear critics. |
| The white paper will be followed by a three-month consultation and MPs' vote. | The white paper will be followed by a three-month consultation and MPs' vote. |
| Ministers say a decision is needed now on Trident's future, to ensure any replacement is ready by 2024. | Ministers say a decision is needed now on Trident's future, to ensure any replacement is ready by 2024. |
| Trident 'essential' | Trident 'essential' |
| Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown, widely tipped to replace Mr Blair in No 10, have both indicated they support replacing Trident. | Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown, widely tipped to replace Mr Blair in No 10, have both indicated they support replacing Trident. |
| Mr Blair has said the system - 64 missiles based on four nuclear submarines, with a further 70 missiles available - is an essential part of Britain's ability to defend itself. | Mr Blair has said the system - 64 missiles based on four nuclear submarines, with a further 70 missiles available - is an essential part of Britain's ability to defend itself. |
| 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 works | 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 works |
| The Observer on Sunday reported that Mr Blair would pledge to consider scaling down the submarine fleet to three and to reduce the number of nuclear warheads. | The Observer on Sunday reported that Mr Blair would pledge to consider scaling down the submarine fleet to three and to reduce the number of nuclear warheads. |
| The white paper will give the various options and why they are considered acceptable or not, and MPs will vote on a single recommendation. | The white paper will give the various options and why they are considered acceptable or not, and MPs will vote on a single recommendation. |
| Options could include whether to keep a submarine-based system, change to a land-based or aircraft-based system, or possibly to overhaul, rather than replace, the submarine fleet to extend its lifespan further. | Options could include whether to keep a submarine-based system, change to a land-based or aircraft-based system, or possibly to overhaul, rather than replace, the submarine fleet to extend its lifespan further. |
| Supporters argue Trident is needed to deter any threat - particularly at a time when countries like North Korea and Iran harbour their own nuclear ambitions. | Supporters argue Trident is needed to deter any threat - particularly at a time when countries like North Korea and Iran harbour their own nuclear ambitions. |
| But critics say the estimated £10-25bn cost would be better spent elsewhere. | But critics say the estimated £10-25bn cost would be better spent elsewhere. |
| Former home secretary Charles Clarke is among those who have said Trident was designed for the Cold War era, and would not be appropriate for today's threats of international terrorism and organised crime. | Former home secretary Charles Clarke is among those who have said Trident was designed for the Cold War era, and would not be appropriate for today's threats of international terrorism and organised crime. |
| The Conservatives support retaining nuclear weapons while the Liberal Democrats have said the number of nuclear warheads should be halved to 100. | The Conservatives support retaining nuclear weapons while the Liberal Democrats have said the number of nuclear warheads should be halved to 100. |
| Anti-nuclear campaigners say they fear the government has already decided to go ahead with replacing Trident. | Anti-nuclear campaigners say they fear the government has already decided to go ahead with replacing Trident. |
| Kate Hudson, chairman of CND - the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, has said a white paper could "close down" the wider debate. | Kate Hudson, chairman of CND - the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, has said a white paper could "close down" the wider debate. |