To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on the maintenance of the projected number of Trident submarines, launch tubes and missile warheads for so long as other states possess, or are seeking to acquire, a nuclear weapons capability; and if he will make a statement.

As my right hon. Friend made clear in his statement on "Options for Change" on 25 July, we shall retain our strategic deterrent with a four-boat Trident force.