Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what approvals are required for a nuclear submarine berth to be established at the port of Swansea; and which approvals have been obtained so far.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonAll berths for nuclear-powered submarines require the approval of the nuclear-powered warships safety committee, an independent committee whose members include national experts on nuclear safety matters. The nuclear-powered warships safety committee reports to the Secretary of State for Defence on all public safety aspects of the use of a berth by nuclear-powered warships. If a berth is approved by the nuclear-powered warships safety committee, a final decision on its use is taken by this Department, in consultation with local and port authorities.
Since I replied to the hon. Member for Clwyd, South-West (Mr. Jones) on 26 June at column 371, the nuclear-powered warships safety committee has given its approval for a berth at Swansea to be used by nuclear-powered submarines: further discussions between Ministry of Defence officials and local and port authorities will follow.