It is essential that as long as we must have the deterrent force it should be kept up to date. In view of the enormous developments taking place and the counter measures available to the Soviet Union, it is essential that the programme continues on time. First, the cost of Trident is not escalating, but de-escalating. Gentleman's question does not have any teeth. The Labour Government updated our nuclear deterrent by introducing Chevaline and not telling the House about it.
Friend is absolutely right.
The cost of the Trident programme works out over its life at about 3 per cent. In no other way could such a sum of money, spent on some other means, produce security the like of which the Trident programme will give us. On the question of neglect of the conventional forces, as my hon. Merchant Ships 2. To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the number of merchant ships available to him in an emergency.