§ 13. Mr. DouglasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current repair and maintenance programme of the Polaris fleet.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonIt is not our practice to publish details of nuclear submarine refit, repair or maintenance programmes.
§ Mr. DouglasIs the Minister therefore quite sanguine about the press reports relating to the technological failures in the reactors of the Polaris PWR? Will he comment on the vexatious problems that we are having at Rosyth in relation to the disposal of nuclear waste? Will he take it from me that it is quite unacceptable that Rosyth should be the sole base for the disposal of nuclear waste and that the Plymouth and Devonport waste should be redistributed to Scotland? Will he comment on these observations?
§ Mr. HamiltonWe do not comment on the material state of our nuclear submarines. However, I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that there is no question of operating any of our submarines unless we are convinced that they can be operated safely. The issue of the nuclear waste sites has still to be decided and in the meantime we are quite happy with the provision that has been made for the disposal of waste from nuclear submarines.
§ Mr. FranksMay I take the opportunity provided by the hon. Member's question to remind the Minister that the Polaris fleet was designed and built in Barrow? If there is to be a change of policy and location for the repair and maintenance of that fleet will he bear in mind the ability and skills that are readily available in Barrow?
§ Mr. HamiltonI thank my hon. Friend for reminding the House that Barrow is very interested in the future refitting of nuclear submarines.