PLYMOUTH is "ready to pick up the baton" of the UK's nuclear deterrent and submarine fleet if Scotland chooses independence, the Commons has been told, writes Nick Lester, Parliamentary Correspondent.

The offer made by Tory MP for Plymouth and Devonport Oliver Colvile during a parliamentary debate on defence was welcomed by ministers.

It came as Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond this week unveiled his plans for a referendum on independence, which would see voters north of the border going to the polls in 2014. Mr Salmond has already said Scots wanted the UK's Trident nuclear missiles removed from the naval base at Faslane.

Devonport has been suggested as a potential alternative as it is currently home to three Trafalgar-class nuclear submarines, which are due to move to Faslane.

It is also the UK's only base with the specialist facilities and skilled workforce needed to maintain the current and future submarine fleet, including the Vanguard vessels which carry the Trident nuclear missiles, and that operate from Faslane.

But any move is set to cost billions of pounds due to the need to build a new storage facility for the nuclear warheads, which are currently stored at a facility at Coulport, near Faslane.

A rethink of the MoD's plans to base a new fleet of seven Astute class submarines at Faslane from 2017 would also be needed if Scotland were to go it alone.

Highlighting the move in Scotland to break away from the rest of the UK, Mr Colvile said: "Rest assured of this, Plymouth is ready to pick up the baton should the Scots be in the process of thinking they do not want to have the nuclear deterrent or nuclear submarines. We would be very welcome to open negotiations to ensure we have that."

Responding, Defence Minister Andrew Robathan said: "We welcome his offer".

Mr Colvile also said as an island nation it was "incredibly important" for Britain to have a strong Navy to help keep open international trade routes.

He stressed the need for Plymouth to get its "fair share" of the next generation Type 26 frigates, which will replace the Type 23s early in the next decade.