TONY BLAIR faces growing pressure from all sides among Labour MPs to spell out the choices for replacing Britain’s nuclear deterrent in his final months in office.

Mounting frustration is being voiced by both supporters and opponents of a next generation nuclear weapon system to succeed Trident amid fears that MPs will be bounced into a decision.

Despite being promised a debate and vote in the Commons on replacing Trident, many Labour MPs are furious that a host of motions on the future of Britain’s nuclear deterrent were blocked at their party conference in Manchester last month.

The Defence Select Committee, which has a majority of Labour MPs, is to begin a second inquiry on the case for replacing Trident, having accused the Ministry of Defence of failing to participate in its first such exercise this year.

Its new inquiry will look at the industrial impact of any decision, particularly on BAE Systems at Barrow-in-Furness, Britain’s last remaining yard capable of building a submarine fleet if another submarine-based system is chosen.

David Crausby, a Labour member of the committee who backs a new submarine-launched nuclear system, accused the Government of failing to deliver on its promise of a full debate.

Mr Crausby said: “My concern is that the Government will want to run this fairly close to the point where they make the decision and then have a discussion. If they are not prepared to have the debate, we will get on with it.”

Opponents of replacing Trident are similarly critical, saying Mr Blair’s plan for a Cabinet decision first, followed by a White Paper setting out the Government’s recommendation to Parliament, would pre-empt the promised debate.

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