HL Deb 12 March 1990 vol 516 cc1306-8

2.52 p.m.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, at the request of my noble friend Lord Jenkins of Putney, I ask the Government the following Question:

Whether they will make a statement on cracking in the reactors of British nuclear submarines.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (The Earl of Arran)

My Lords, I assume the noble Lord is referring to the recent discovery of a technical defect in one of the Royal Navy's nuclear-powered submarines, following which a programme of inspections of all such vessels has been set in hand as a prudent precautionary measure. These inspections are being carried out in close consultation with the department's independent technical and safety advisers.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for that reply. Can he tell us the rate of progress on the checks being carried out? For example, can he say whether 10 per cent., 20 per cent. or 50 per cent. of the vessels have been checked? Can he further tell us whether any progress is being made on monitoring the possible effect on, and damage to, the health of the submariners and those who work ashore?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that the programme of inspections will progress as soon as possible. As regards the possibility of any danger either to submariners or those ashore, I can again reassure the noble Lord that there has been no accident or injury to anyone.

Lord Mayhew

My Lords, can the noble Earl say whether the Government are seriously considering ways of lessening the burden on the Polaris fleet during its last years? There are ways of doing that.

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, that question is rather wide of the Question on the Order Paper.

Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone

My Lords, can my noble friend tell the House when the results of the inspection or tests are likely to be available; when they will be published; and to what extent?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I can reassure my noble and learned friend that the programme of inspections will be completed as soon as possible. As regards publication of the results, that will be a decision for my right honourable friend the Secretary of State.

The Earl of Halsbury

My Lords, can the noble Earl tell the House that there will be a counterpart statement on the cracking of the pots in anti-nuclear lobbies?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I apologise; I did not get the gist of the noble Earl's question.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, can the Minister confirm that the technical fault which has been discovered is leading towards consideration of the necessary decommissioning of these nuclear submarines in the very near future? Can he tell the House what plans the Government have made for the decommissioning of the nuclear submarines and where it is to be done?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, that is a question of high hypothesis. It is total speculation. There is no truth in what the noble Lord has said. I believe he is trying to conjure up a host of nuclear nasties which do not exist.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, I asked a perfectly simple question. The nuclear submarines will have to be decommissioned: that is not in any doubt. Can the Minister say what preparations the Government are making for the decommissioning, where it will take place and what it will cost?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Hatch of Lusby, is dwelling on too much hypothesis here. It is a mask for speculation. The situation described by the noble Lord does not exist.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, the Minister referred to being satisfied that no illness or damage had manifested itself in the health of the submariners or those ashore. Can the Minister take on board my question: what steps are being taken to monitor the situation? Monitoring is a positive review arrangement; it is not simply a matter of waiting for the manifestation of something being wrong and then having to chase it. The people who work on and around the submarines are entitled to be assured that the Government recognise that prevention is far better than cure.

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, the noble Lord is not quite right. The words I previously used were, no accident or injury to anyone". As regards monitoring, I believe that the noble Lord is fully aware that independent advice to the Ministry of Defence is being provided by the Nuclear Powered Warship Safety Committee, which has at its heart all the points made by the noble Lord.