Trident replacement vote 'inevitable'

The government will give MPs a vote on whether to replace the Trident nuclear arsenal.

The subject was brought to the fore last month by Gordon Brown, who indicated his support for replacing the ageing deterrent.

Downing Street promised a white paper on the matter but until Thursday stopped short of committing to a definite vote of MPs.

But speaking during a discussion of future parliamentary business, Commons leader Jack Straw said: "The position for this was set up by the prime minister two weeks ago when he did point out that we were the first government to give the House a vote over decisions to go to war.

"Of course we should involve the House fully in a decision as important as the renewal of our nuclear deterrent and in practical terms it is inevitable that there will therefore be a chance for the House to express its view on this important matter in a vote."

Straw did not say if MPs would be given a free vote. The government would be likely to win the vote either way with the probable backing of the Conservatives.

The existing deterrent consists of four Vanguard-class submarines capable of carrying Trident missiles, with one submarine always at sea.

Replacing Trident was a Labour manifesto commitment, and the prime minister has promised a decision before the end of the year.

The Commons defence committee recently urged the government to engage in a "full public debate" on the matter.