To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to place before Parliament proposals for Initial Gate approval for the programme to replace the UK's Trident nuclear weapons system. (281475)

It is not normal for Parliament to be involved in Initial Gate decisions for procurement projects. I do however propose to update Parliament on progress after Initial Gate. The main investment decision point, and the point at which we would issue the main contracts to industry for the construction of the new submarines, is still several years away.