HC Deb 26 November 1974 vol 882 cc223-4
7. Mr. Gould

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding visits to commercial ports in the United Kingdom by foreign warships carrying nuclear weapons.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (Mr. Frank Judd)

Foreign warships may visit United Kingdom commercial ports only with the prior agreement of Her Majesty's Government. It is our policy not to comment on questions relating to the presence or otherwise of nuclear weapons on board these vessels.

Mr. Gould

Is my hon. Friend aware that five foreign warships visited the port of Southampton last month and that local residents were unable to get an assurance whether they were carrying nuclear weapons or any other radioactive material, or information on the sort of controls which might be imposed if such materials were being carried? Will my hon. Friend therefore give an assurance that will set at rest the understandable fears of the people of Southampton?

Mr. Judd

Elaborate safety precautions and stringent procedures apply to the design and handling of all nuclear weapons, and the probability of an accident is very remote. My hon. Friend will, I know, not expect me to go into the details of these measures but I would say that in the highly unlikely event of an accident involving these weapons there is no danger of an atomic explosion.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that I visited the United States warships in Southampton at that time and that the ships' companies were ashore in Southampton apparently enjoying themselves very much indeed and the citizens of Southampton were on board the ships equally enjoying themselves?

Mr. Judd

Knowing the record of the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I have no doubt that he thoroughly enjoyed himself as well.