§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if all facilities which comprise the Trident works programme at CSB Faslane and RNAD Coulport will have received a full complete safety case before HMS Vanguard goes out on operational patrol; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if all new construction at CSB Faslane and RNAD Coulport has now been completed; whether all facilities have now received a full and complete nuclear safety case; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanAll major new construction at CSB Faslane and RNAD Coulport in support of the Trident programme is complete. Clearance of all facilities necessary to support HMS Vanguard's first operational patrol has been given or is in hand. Work to achieve the full safety clearance of all facilities is progressing as planned and is due to complete next year.
§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the first two lifts of a Trident submarine in the shiplift at CSB Faslane;
(2) if the shiplift at CSB Faslane will have achieved unlimited safety clearance before HMS Vanguard goes out on operational patrol;
(3) what progress has been made in obtaining a full and complete nuclear safety case for the shiplift at CSB Faslane; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanHMS Vanguard was lifted fully on the Faslane shiplift during the week commending 24 October, following a partial lift to establish the fit between the submarine and its supporting cradle. Work towards achieving full through-life safety clearance of the shiplift is progressing as planned and is due to complete next year.