§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether any handling, practice in handling or training exercises have been conducted with live or dummy Trident nuclear warheads in the explosives handling jetty at Royal Navy armaments depot Coulport; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what progress has been made in obtaining a full and complete nuclear safety case for the explosives handling jetty at RNAD Coulport;
(3) whether clearance for handling live nuclear warheads at the explosives handling jetty at RNAD Coulport has been obtained; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanAll safety clearances for the explosives handling jetty at RNAD Coulport which are necessary to support HMS Vanguard's forthcoming deployment, including clearance to handle nuclear warheads, have been obtained. Comprehensive handling and training exercises using inert warheads have been undertaken in the jetty.