§ Mr. StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has received on the stability of the geological base on which Devonport dockyard is built; and if he will make a statement. [9381]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotSite investigations, including borehole surveys, and desk studies have been carried out to verify that the nature of the underlying geology is suitable to support the development of nuclear submarine refitting facilities at Devonport royal dockyard. The surveys confirmed that the rock underlying the site will form a suitable foundation for the proposed nuclear installations. No significant geological problems have been encountered on site to date.