§ Ms Roseanna CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the risk of(a) staff and (b) public exposure to fragments of irradiated nuclear fuel in and around the Clyde nuclear base. [68075]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 1 February 1999]: HM Naval Base Clyde conducts only maintenance and repair on nuclear powered submarines, during which irradiated nuclear fuel neither leaves the reactor nor is conveyed to or from the Naval Base. It is legislative requirement under the Public Information for Radiation Emergencies Regulations 1992 that all nuclear operators undertake an assessment of the probability of the release of radioactive material from their operations that could lead to the exposure of the public. On the basis of such assessments there is no risk to staff or public from exposure to fragments of irradiated nuclear fuel.