Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chris Heaton-Harris and Liam Fox

Monday 5th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Dr Fox]

I am always open to the help offered by the right hon. Gentleman. Perhaps one day we will find a use for it. We are indeed in discussions with the French about joint procurement, but a decision by the French to join Predator would not necessarily preclude them from joint procurement in the future with the United Kingdom on long-term solutions.

[Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con)]

2. When he plans to publish the results of the Trident value-for-money study.

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Dr Liam Fox)]

The Ministry of Defence’s work on the value-for-money study should be completed at the end of this month. The findings will go to the Cabinet Office, and will then be considered by the National Security Council. The council’s conclusions will inform the strategic defence and security review and the comprehensive spending review, which will be published in the autumn.

[Chris Heaton-Harris]

I thank my right hon. Friend for his answer. Will the results of the value-for-money study include plans on the infrastructure that supports our deterrent?

[Dr Fox]

It might help the House if I tell my hon. Friend that the programme will cover the timetable itself, submarine numbers, the number of missiles, missile tubes and warheads, infrastructure and other support costs, and the industrial supply chain.