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Trident vote due 'early in 2007' Trident vote due 'early in 2007'
(about 3 hours later)
MPs will vote early in 2007 on whether Britain's nuclear weapons system should be replaced, Downing Street has said.MPs will vote early in 2007 on whether Britain's nuclear weapons system should be replaced, Downing Street has said.
Ministers are to outline their favoured option - expected to be to replace the Trident weapons system - in a white paper to be published in December. Ministers are to outline their favoured option - expected to be a replacement for the Trident system - in a white paper to be published in December.
The vote will follow a three-month consultation on the plans, which were discussed at Thursday's Cabinet.The vote will follow a three-month consultation on the plans, which were discussed at Thursday's Cabinet.
Ministers want a quick decision to ensure any replacement is ready when Trident's working life ends in 2024.Ministers want a quick decision to ensure any replacement is ready when Trident's working life ends in 2024.
Asked if the decision was being pushed through too quickly, Commons leader Jack Straw told MPs: "It is the government's judgement that it is necessary to make a decision, and there is no suggestion whatsoever of this decision being rushed." But Commons leader Jack Straw said "There is no suggestion whatsoever of this decision being rushed."
Defence 'essential'Defence 'essential'
It remains unclear whether MPs will just have a vote on the principle of retaining nuclear weapons, or whether they will have a wider vote on options such as updating Trident. He added: "We have a responsibility not to cop out of this but to come to a decision, and we shall.
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown - widely expected to be his successor - have both indicated their support for retaining an independent nuclear weapons system. "We're talking about defence of the nation here, not the Shops Act or fox hunting."
TRIDENT MISSILE SYSTEM Missile length: 44ft (13m)Weight: 130,000lb (58,500kg)Diameter: 74 inches (1.9m)Range: More than 4,600 miles (7,400km)Power plant: Three stage solid propellant rocketCost: £16.8m ($29.1m) per missile Source: Federation of American Scientists How Trident worksTRIDENT MISSILE SYSTEM Missile length: 44ft (13m)Weight: 130,000lb (58,500kg)Diameter: 74 inches (1.9m)Range: More than 4,600 miles (7,400km)Power plant: Three stage solid propellant rocketCost: £16.8m ($29.1m) per missile Source: Federation of American Scientists How Trident works
The white paper would "recite" options and say why they were acceptable or not - and a vote will be held on a single recommendation, Mr Straw said.
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown - widely expected to be his successor - have both indicated their support for retaining an independent nuclear weapons system.
Mr Blair has said they were an essential part of Britain's ability to defend itself.Mr Blair has said they were an essential part of Britain's ability to defend itself.
Supporters argue Trident is needed to deter any threat - particularly at a time when countries like North Korea and Iran harbour their own nuclear ambitions.Supporters argue Trident is needed to deter any threat - particularly at a time when countries like North Korea and Iran harbour their own nuclear ambitions.
The Conservatives also back retaining nuclear weapons, while the Liberal Democrats have called for a wider vote on the options.The Conservatives also back retaining nuclear weapons, while the Liberal Democrats have called for a wider vote on the options.
CND concerns Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "I have written to the prime minister to emphasise that any vote on a Trident replacement should focus on the options available.
"We owe it to the British people and future generations to have a proper discussion."
'Middle way'
Britain has 16 Trident missiles based on each of the four nuclear submarines.Britain has 16 Trident missiles based on each of the four nuclear submarines.
Defence minister Lord Drayson told a Commons committee this week that the white paper would look at whether to keep a submarine-based system or change to a land-based or aircraft-based system.Defence minister Lord Drayson told a Commons committee this week that the white paper would look at whether to keep a submarine-based system or change to a land-based or aircraft-based system.
Campaigners say Trident should be scrapped
MPs on that Commons defence committee, who are looking at the issue, are also considering a "middle way" of overhauling, rather than replacing, the submarine fleet carrying the US-made Trident missiles.MPs on that Commons defence committee, who are looking at the issue, are also considering a "middle way" of overhauling, rather than replacing, the submarine fleet carrying the US-made Trident missiles.
Anti-nuclear campaigners say they fear the government has already decided to go ahead with replacing Trident.Anti-nuclear campaigners say they fear the government has already decided to go ahead with replacing Trident.
Critics say the cost of replacing Trident - estimated at up to £25bn - would be better spent elsewhere, particularly as nuclear weapons would be useless in the fight against international terrorism.Critics say the cost of replacing Trident - estimated at up to £25bn - would be better spent elsewhere, particularly as nuclear weapons would be useless in the fight against international terrorism.
Kate Hudson, chairman of CND - the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament - said a White Paper could "close down" the wider debate. Kate Hudson, chairman of CND - the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament - said a white paper could "close down" the wider debate.