PRESS RELEASE

CND asks: 'Will the Government finally answer our questions on Trident Replacement?

31 January 2007: for immediate release

In tomorrow’s defence debate in the House of Commons, MPs are likely to raise a number of issues with Defence Secretary Des Browne about the government’s planned replacement for the Trident nuclear weapon system.

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament has been seeking answers from the government on a number of key issues including:
· Security – how does spending up to £76 billion on Trident replacement help to protect us against terrorism?
· Cost – can spending of up to £76 billion be justified above other priorities? Which budget is going to pay for this?
· Lack of consultation – shouldn’t a decision of this magnitude be taken only after a full consultation?
· Non-Proliferation – won’t the replacement of Trident encourage other states to develop nuclear weapons?

After the publication of the White Paper on Trident replacement in December 2006, the government reiterated its promise to hold a debate on the issue. However, it has refused to engage in any meaningful debate with campaigners and MPs who are attempting to raise serious concerns shared by the majority of the public.

Kate Hudson, Chair of CND, said:

‘The government has repeatedly promised a full debate on Trident replacement. They have regularly refused to engage in such a debate both within parliament and within the Labour Party itself. The government must begin to answer questions on Trident replacement and engage in a full, open debate in which all options, including non-replacement, are considered.’

CND, the Stop the War Coalition, and the British Muslim Initiative are organising a national demonstration in London on Saturday 24th February, calling for ‘No Trident’ and ‘Troops Home from Iraq.’ It is expected to be Britain’s largest anti-nuclear demonstration in decades.

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Notes to Editor:

1. For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman, CND's Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
2. An ICM poll from June 2006 showed that 81% of the British public believes that any decision on Trident replacement should be made by Parliament, not the Prime Minister alone. Click here for a full copy of the poll.
3. According to a July 2006 ICM poll, 59% of the British public opposes a replacement of Trident when presented with a cost of at least £25 billion. Click here for a full copy of the poll.
4. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 35,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere. www.cnduk.org

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