To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the United States decision to cancel production of W88 warheads for multiple-warhead nuclear missiles will have on the Royal Navy's Trident programme; whether W76 warheads of the type that are now to be used in United States Navy strategic submarines are compatible with and available for use in British SSBN boats; and if he will make a statement.

The United Kingdom's Trident system will use warheads which have been designed, and are being manufactured, in the United Kingdom. The United States decision will not, therefore, affect the United Kingdom Trident programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now review the requirement for Trident following the cancellation of the Trident warhead production programme in the United States.

No. Trident is essential if the United Kingdom is to maintain an effective and credible nuclear deterrent into the next century.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now make it his practice to release information on (a) the Trident programme and (b) the date on which he will order the SSN 20; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence made a statement on the Trident programme earlier today. On the SSN20 order, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Gentleman on 29 November 1991 at column 684.