MP sails into row over 'too short' Trident debate

Published on Saturday 24 March 2007 13:27

WEST Lothian MP Jim Devine has slammed the Government and the Westminster authorities for not giving MPs enough time to debate the replacement of Trident.

The Livingston MP, who quit his post as an unpaid aide to Health Minister Rosie Winterton, said it was "totally unacceptable" the House of Commons spent 800 hours debating hunting with dogs in England and just eight on Trident.

In a letter to his to constituents, he wrote: "It is claimed that costs of renewal will come to at least 20 billion and could be as much as 75bn. I am, however, no pacifist. I believe that this money should be spent on improving the equipment, accommodation and pay of our Armed Forces.

"MPs tell me that the Hunting With Hounds Bill took up nearly 800 hours of Parliamentary time. On March 14, the House of Commons voted to renew Trident after less than eight hours' debate."

He added: "With the break-up of the Soviet Union, I would like to know who the enemy actually is in the 21st century and under what circumstances the British government would find it necessary to launch Trident."

Edinburgh South MP Nigel Griffiths also quit his ministerial post as Deputy Leader of the Commons to join the Labour backbench revolt over Trident.

Despite the rebellion, the Government won the vote to replace Britain's nuclear deterrent.