Trident Nuclear Programme Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Ministry of Defence

Trident Nuclear Programme

Lord Trefgarne Excerpts
Monday 7th December 2020

(3 years, 11 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Baroness Goldie Portrait Baroness Goldie (Con) [V]
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I thank the noble Baroness for repeating the question. The Government take the view that, under the non-proliferation treaty, we remain compliant with international law and in compliance with Article VI of that treaty. We have a very good record of contributing to nuclear disarmament; we have managed to reduce stocks by about 50% from their Cold War peak and we are the only recognised nuclear weapons state to have reduced our deterrent capability to a single nuclear weapons system.

Lord Trefgarne Portrait Lord Trefgarne (Con)
- Hansard - -

My Lords, the Minister confirmed to me only the other day that we have a policy of continuous at-sea deterrence, which we all very much welcome. Can she confirm that we now have sufficient submarines for that purpose and, no less importantly, sufficient crews to keep them at sea?

Baroness Goldie Portrait Baroness Goldie (Con) [V]
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I reassure my noble friend that, despite all challenges, we have maintained our essential defence operations, including the operation of our continuous at-sea deterrent.