§ Mr. McElhoneasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will have consultations with the American naval authorities with regard to the recent fire on the Polaris depot ship at the Holy Loch: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellSince arrangements already exist for my Department to be informed promptly about any nuclear emergency in the Clyde area which might be hazardous to the public, I do not consider that any such consultations would serve a useful purpose.
§ Mr. Buchanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if any of the protective services under his Department, such as the local fire authority, were notified of the recent outbreak of fire on the Polaris depot ship in the Holy Loch.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellI understand that since the fire was brought under control by the crew of the depot ship the responsible authorities did not judge it necessary to notify the local protective services.
§ Mr. Buchanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with existing liaison and notification arrangements regarding emergencies between the United States authorities and local authorities in the vicinity of the Polaris base on the Clyde; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe responsibility for making such arrangements is not mine. But I have no reason to suppose that the arrangements for notifying 459W the appropriate services as necessary in the event of an emergency are in any way defective.