To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average annual running costs of Polaris have been since it first entered service at 1992–93 prices and what items these costs include.

The average annual running cost of Polaris for 1991–92 and 1992–93 is estimated to be £180,000,000 at 1992–93 prices. This includes the costs of manpower; stores and spares; refits; and the in-service support of warheads, submarines and their weapons systems. The average annual running cost of Polaris since it first entered service could be provided only at disproportionate cost.