§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been made on behalf of his Department of the implications in international law, of the disposal of nuclear-powered submarines once their operational lives have been completed(a) within international waters, and (b) within United Kingdom territorial waters.
§ Mr. SainsburyStudies have been carried out into the disposal of reactor compartments from decommissioned nuclear submarines. One option includes the disposal of the intact submarine at sea, but no decisions have been made on the method of disposal. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is responsible for the interepretation of international law and has been regularly consulted by the MOD about the international implications of disposing of decommissioned nuclear submarines at sea. The London dumping convention (LDC), which is the international convention having worldwide scope in the field of dumping, makes no differentiation between international and territorial waters.