MP seeking Trident removal details

Nov 13 2012

The Scottish Government is being urged to clarify how quickly nuclear weapons could be decommissioned and removed in the event of independence.

The challenge came from Ian Davidson, a Labour MP and convener of Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee.

He wrote to Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon following an inquiry into the impact of a Yes vote in the 2014 referendum.

He wrote: "In particular, the committee request your response as to whether or not you accept the view, endorsed by this committee, first put forward by CND Scotland, that Trident warheads could be deactivated in a matter of days and removed safely from Scotland within 24 months, and whether you believe that this timetable would constitute the speediest safe transition of nuclear weapons from Scotland."

The committee's report, published on October 25, suggested that an "indeterminate period" of unilateral nuclear disarmament could be imposed on the UK if Scotland votes to leave the union.

The UK's Trident nuclear weapons are entirely based and serviced in Scotland and the SNP has committed to their removal.

The referendum should not go ahead without establishing the full consequences for defence and the UK's nuclear deterrent beforehand, said the committee.

Construction of new facilities elsewhere in Britain could take upwards of 20 years, the committee heard during its evidence gathering.