§ Mr. Benceasked the Secretary of State for Defence what precautions he is taking against the danger of fire in nuclear warships and warships carrying nuclear weapons in the Holy Lock and Firth of Clyde.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuAll R.N. warships are designed to minimise fire risk and a permanent highly trained organisation is at readiness on board all ships at all times to detect and deal with fires. Ships' companies are instructed and trained to avoid dangerous practices. No additional special precautions are needed on nuclear warships.
There is no possibilty that any fire could lead to a nuclear explosion of a weapon or in a nuclear propulsion plant. There are also highly trained staff both on board and ashore to deal with any other nuclear hazard caused by this or any other form of accident.
The responsibility for the safety of U.S.N. vessels rests with the United States. Nevertheless, a permanent organisation exists in the Clyde area to protect the public from the consequences of any nuclear accident, even though the possibility of such an accident occurring is extremely remote.