§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many exercises to test procedures for dealing with accidents involving nuclear weapons are to be held in 1998; when and where these exercises will be held; and what are the titles of these planned exercises. [32209]
§ Dr. ReidThe following Grade B and Grade C nuclear weapon accident exercises are planned to be held in 1998:
Nuclear weapon accident exercises Date Name Location Jul 98 RAF weapon convoy To be decided Standardisation Sep 98 RAF Station Nuclear Accident Somerset Response Organisation team Standardisation1 Sep 98 Diagonal Glance Somerset Oct 98 RAF Station Nuclear Accident South Glamorgan Response Organisation team Standardisation1 Oct 98 RAF Station Nuclear Accident South Glamorgan Response Organisation team Standardisation1 Oct 98 RAF Station Nuclear Accident Suffolk Response Organisation team Standardisation1 Nov 98 RAF Station Nuclear Accident Oxfordshire Response Organisation team Standardisation1 Nov 98 Bowline Clyde Naval Base Nov 98 RAF Station Nuclear Accident Norfolk Response Organisation team Standardisation 1 RAF Station Nuclear Accident Response Organisation teams provide immediate response forces for the air transportation of nuclear weapons. Information regarding minor exercises, organised at unit level, is not held centrally.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many exercises to test procedures for dealing with accidents involving nuclear weapons are to be organised on British territory by the United States government in 1998; when and where these exercises will be held; what are the titles of these planned exercises; and if his Department will participate in all of these exercises. [32210]
§ Dr. ReidExercise "Diagonal Glance" is planned to be held in Somerset in September 1998. It is to be a joint UK/US nuclear weapon accident response exercise, the planning for which is being led by my Department. The exercise will test the response to an accident as described in the Local Authority and Emergency Service762W Information on Nuclear Weapon Transport Contingency Plans. Information regarding minor exercises, organised at US unit level is not held centrally.