MPs debate the UK's nuclear deterrent: 18 July 2016
18 July 2016 (updated on 18 July 2016)
MPs debated the UK's nuclear deterrent in the House of Commons on Monday 18 July 2016.
UK's nuclear deterrent
The Prime Minister, Theresa May, opened the debate on the UK's nuclear deterrent. Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Opposition, responded on behalf of the Opposition.
The motion was agreed to after a division. (Division No. 46: Ayes 472 votes, Noes 117 votes)
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on the UK's nuclear deterrent
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on the UK's nuclear deterrent
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Defence Equipment and Procurement
- Read Library Briefing Paper: Replacing the UK's 'Trident' Nuclear Deterrent, published 11 July 2016
Motion for debate in the name of the Prime Minister:
"That this House supports the Government’s assessment in the 2015 National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review that the UK’s independent minimum credible nuclear deterrent, based on a Continuous at Sea Deterrence posture, will remain essential to the UK's security today as it has for over 60 years, and for as long as the global security situation demands, to deter the most extreme threats to the UK's national security and way of life and that of the UK's allies; supports the decision to take the necessary steps required to maintain the current posture by replacing the current Vanguard Class submarines with four Successor submarines; recognises the importance of this programme to the UK’s defence industrial base and in supporting thousands of highly skilled engineering jobs; notes that the Government will continue to provide annual reports to Parliament on the programme; recognises that the UK remains committed to reducing its overall nuclear weapon stockpile by the mid-2020s; and supports the Government’s commitment to continue work towards a safer and more stable world, pressing for key steps towards multilateral disarmament."
Related information
Watching the debate on the UK's nuclear deterrent from the public gallery
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