Your request asked `would the MOD simply disclose any fact - any fact at all however simple or unimportant - regarding Trident?' Under the Freedom of Information Act (the Act) each request received by MOD is considered individually on a case by case basis. Therefore whether information would be provided relating to the Trident Weapon System depends entirely on the nature of the information requested. For example, we would not disclose information which could undermine the effectiveness of the nuclear deterrent if the information fell into the wrong hands, but we do release information where we assess its release carries no risk. For example, information about the number of nuclear warheads held in the UK`s stockpile is in the public domain.

Since January 2005 all requests for information received by a public authority have had to be answered in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. For public authorities this represents a balance between greater openness and transparency of decision making on the one hand and the need to protect information where disclosure would cause harm or otherwise be contrary to the public interest on the other.

MOD responses to FOI requests are often uploaded onto the Disclosures Log. It maybe useful to have a look at the type of information which has been released under FOI at: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FreedomOfInformation/DisclosureLog/SearchDisclosureLog/

An example of information withheld by MOD under FOI on the subject of the Trident Weapon System can be viewed here: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FreedomOfInformation/DisclosureLog/SearchDisclosureLog/2005/09/TridentReplacement.htm. And the following is an example of information which has been released recently under FOI on the subject of Atomic Weapons Establishments at Burghfield. The FOI request dated August 2009 asked for a copy of the safety case for the warhead assembly/disassembly facility at Burghfield. MOD released the Burghfield Assembly Facility Safety Case from September 2007 to the requestor with information redacted where necessary under the FOI Act. The Safety Case includes information on subjects such as the Selection of Contingency Plans, the Safety Management System and the Building Specific Operating Rules.