HC Deb 22 February 1961 vol 635 cc506-7
40. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he will make a statement on the Clyde Public Safety Scheme and the further arrangements he has made for the defence of the local inhabitants in the event of an accident at the Polaris base in Holy Loch.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

Orders for protecting the population in the extremely unlikely event of a nuclear accident have now been prepared by the Clyde Local Liaison Committee. These plans will ensure immediate and coordinated action by the naval and civil authorities with the advice and assistance of the Atomic Energy Authority. They are based on the measures applying at nuclear power stations and other civil establishments.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that these plans include, in certain circumstances, the evacuation or the villages of Kilmun and Sandbank, and also dealing with the decontamination of food supplies? Can he tell us if any provision is being made for compensation of the local inhabitants in such circumstances? Is he also aware that the Clyde Public Safety Committee was greatly cheered up yesterday by the announcement that the Americans are not sending this ship after all? Is it true that the Admiralty are trying to discourage the Americans from staying away?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I think it must be that the sincerely held pacifist views of the hon. Gentleman have led him to some of his anxieties. So far as I know, he put up no objection to the establishment on the borders of his own constituency of a nuclear power station.

Miss Harvie Anderson

Is my hon. Friend aware that the vast majority of people in Scotland welcome this contribution to the defence of the country?

Mr. Hughes

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a nuclear power station is not a Polaris submarine, and is not meant for bombing the civil population anywhere?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I am aware of that fact. I am also aware of the fact that the likelihood of accident is equally remote in both cases.

41. Mr. Rankin

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what reasons have led to the postponement of the arrival of the Polaris submarine in the Holy Loch.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

Arrangements are proceeding as planned for the arrival of the first Polaris submarine, and no question has arisen of any postponement.

Mr. Rankin

Could the Civil Lord tell us why it was necessary, according to widespread reports, for this Government to put pressure on the American Administration to bring Polaris to the Holy Loch? Can he tell us what was the nature of the representations which were made yesterday after I took the delegation to the Admiralty?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I am honestly afraid that I cannot comment on the imaginative happenings in the hon. Gentleman's mind. I know of no such thing.

Mr. Rankin

On a point of order. May I have your guidance here, Mr. Speaker? This Question was put down by me to the Prime Minister and transferred to the Civil Lord, who was supposed to be able to answer. Now he has shown that he cannot answer it.

Mr. Speaker

With respect to the hon. Member, I will look at what he said, but I do not think that follows from what the Minister said.