HC Deb 15 October 1991 vol 196 cc138-9
7. Mr. Janner

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the safe transport of nuclear warheads in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Safety is a paramount consideration in the transport of nuclear weapons. It is ensured by rigorous training and operational procedures and by the robustness of the weapons, their containers and the road transport vehicles. We have an excellent safety record and we are determined to maintain it.

Mr. Janner

Does the Minister recall that I have been worried about this matter ever since nuclear weapons were taken through the centre of the city of Leicester in the rush hour? Will he please consider the setting up of an independent oversight panel such as the Drell panel in the House of Representatives in the USA and not simply say that it cannot happen here and wait for something dreadful to occur? We need independent oversight of the transport of nuclear weapons by road.

Mr. Hamilton

It is very alarmist to say that we are waiting for an accident to occur; I do not think that that helps anybody. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement will make a statement on nuclear safety later today.

Mr. Bill Walker

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in Scotland, where nuclear deterrent submarines are based, we recognise the need to move warheads and that he has the support of Conservative Members on that? I hope that when he considers other proposed changes he will recognise that that support has never been short in coming.

Mr. Hamilton

I am extremely grateful to my hon. Friend. That reminds one of the massive investment that we are making in nuclear facilities in Scotland, for which we rarely get any thanks from the Opposition.

Mr. Canavan

How can the Minister justify the transportation of nuclear materials from Iraq to Dounreay? Has Scotland been reduced to a dumping ground for a nuclear capability that western nations, including Britain, were responsible for creating?

Mr. Hamilton

There is no question of Scotland's being treated as a dumping ground. As I have already said, Scotland has been treated to the enormous investment project of our nuclear bases and it is about time that we were given credit for the amount of employment and investment that has taken place in Scotland as a result of placing our nuclear facilities there.

Sir John Farr

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the improved international situation must make the transportation of these dangerous nuclear weapons far less likely in future?

Mr. Hamilton

Clearly, it is right to the extent that we shall not usually deploy nuclear weapons at sea. There will be correspondingly less transportation of nuclear weapons to take that into account.