HC Deb 20 May 1994 vol 243 cc601-2W
Mrs. Helen Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what instructions concerning radiation emergency procedures were issued or will be issued to local residents near submarine berths in(a) Glenmallen,(b)Portree, (c) Loch Goil, (d) Campbeltown, (e) Loch Ewe and (f) the Shetlands;

(2) when leaflets on what to do in a radiation emergency were issued or will be issued to local residents near submarine berths in Glenmallen, Portree, Lochgoil, Campbeltown, Loch Ewe and the Shetlands; if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

A booklet entitled "What to do in a Radiation Emergency", containing advice in accordance with the Public Information for Radiation Emergencies Regulations 1992, has been prepared for issue to those residents living within 550 m of such submarine berths.

This booklet was issued to residents living within 550 m of the berths at Loch Goil in June 1993 and at Campbeltown in January 1994, in co-operation with the local authority. Arrangements are currently in hand to issue booklets to residents living within the same distance of the berth at Glenmallen and the Shetland berth at Lerwick. No residents live within 550 m of the other berths listed. All of the berths in question are visited only infrequently.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the distance within which leaflets on what to do in a radiation emergency have been or will be issued to local residents near berths at the Clyde Submarine Base, Faslane and near submarine berths at Glenmallan, Portree, Loch Goil, Campbeltown, Loch Ewe and the Shetlands; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

Booklets containing this advice have been, or will be, issued to residents living within 2,000 m at Faslane, where nuclear repairs take place, and 550 m at the other locations, which are only infrequently visited and where nuclear repairs are not undertaken.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the X and Z berths which may be used by nuclear-powered submarines at which leaflets to local residents as to what to do in a radiation emergency(a) have been issued, (b) will be issued in the near future and (c) are not planned to be issued.

Mr. Hanley

Booklets have been issued to local residents as to what to do in the unlikely event of a radiation emergency at the X-berths at Barrow-in-Furness, Devonport, Faslane and Rosyth and at the Z-berths at Campbeltown and Loch Goil. Arrangements are in hand to issue booklets to residents living within 550 m of the berths at Glen Mallan, Holy Loch and Lerwick in the event of a planned nuclear powered warship visit. There are no plans to issue leaflets to local residents at other Z-berths since no one resides within 550 m of the berth and there is therefore no requirement for issue.

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