Published: Thursday, 8th March, 2007 09:53
Faslane future up for debate
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POLITICIANS are set to decide the future of the Trident nuclear weapons system in a House of Commons vote next week.
MPs will have their say on the replacement of the nation’s nuclear deterrent on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Tony Blair says Britain must keep its nuclear deterrent by investing in a new generation of nuclear submarines.
He revealed plans for a new £20 billion nuclear defence programme to replace the Trident missile system, stored at Faslane Naval Base.
But proposals, unveiled in a white paper, could see the fleet cut from four to three and the number of nuclear warheads reduced by 20 per cent.
The outcome of the crucial vote is not yet certain. Conservatives are in favour of Trident's replacement but a significant number of Labour back benchers oppose the plans.
The Liberal Democrats are expected to throw their weight behind the Labour rebels.
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