§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what level of radioactivity, and which radio-nuclides, are released into the Clyde by the Royal Navy, which are the result of nuclear powered submarine coolant water discharges.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonTreated liquid containing a small amount of radioactivity is discharged from the Clyde submarine base into Gareloch. The radio-nuclide of principal significance is Cobalt 60. In 1988 the total level of discharge was 0.000029 terabecquerels, which is less than 1 per cent. of the limits agreed with the Scottish Development Department.
§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what level of radioactivity, and which radio-nuclides, are released into the Irish sea by the United States Navy, which are the result of nuclear powered submarine coolant water discharges;
(2) when the USS Simon Lake (AS33) stopped releasing processed reactor coolant water, from United States nuclear powered submarines, into Holy Loch; and at what depth of ocean it is now the practice to release the processed coolant water;
(3) what volume of processed coolant water from nuclear-powered submarines, on average, is discharged per excursion; and which radio-nuclides, and in what quantities, this coolant contains from the discharges made by the USS "Simon Lake".
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonMatters concerning the operation of United States Navy nuclear-powered submarines are for the United States Government. Her Majesty's Government remain satisfied that while in United Kingdom waters the United States Navy continues to operate its nuclear-powered warships in accordance with the recommendations of the International Commission of Radiological Protection (ICRP).