§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what incidents have been reported in the past five years involving nuclear submarines from Faslane and the Holy Loch.
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§ Mr. Ian StewartAs with any other equipment, nuclear submarines suffer occasional defects. However, maintenance, operating and safety standards are exacting. As a consequence, there have been no incidents involving nuclear submarines at Faslane or Holy Loch over the last five years where there was any radiological hazard to service men, base personnel or members of the public.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements there are for informing the public in the west of Scotland, in the event of danger arising from an incident involving a nuclear submarine in the Clyde.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThe public notification procedures to be followed in the unlikely event of any accident in the Clyde which might lead to a radiation hazard are detailed in the Clyde area public safety scheme. Similarly, the Scottish special safety scheme details procedures for other nuclear submarine berths on the west coast of Scotland.
§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether any of the reactor cladding was damaged on HMS Resolution during 1988;
(2) if any of Her Majesty's submarines departed from the Clyde submarine base at a time later than their scheduled departure date during January.
§ Mr. Ian Stewart[holding answer 17 February 1988]: It is not our policy to comment on matters affecting the operation or operational movements of Her Majesty's submarines.
§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he intends to make amendments to the Clyde public safety scheme in order to make provisions in the event of any radioactive leak arising from accidents to nuclear submarines in the River Clyde or nearby waters.
§ Mr. Ian Stewart[holding answer 17 February 1988]: The Clyde area public safety scheme already makes provision for any such accidents in the River Clyde and nearby waters.