§ 43. Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy regarding liability following any nuclear accident involving the reactor of a Royal Navy nuclear-powered warship.
§ Mr. William RodgersBoth the design of and the procedures for operating the 99W propulsion system of our nuclear-powered warships are such that a nuclear reactor accident is a most remote possibility. Nevertheless, in the unlikely event of such an accident it would be our policy to pay compensation, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary funds, for personal injury, death or damage to or loss of real or personal property proved to have resulted from the accident.
Certain exceptions would have to be made. For example, such compensation would not necessarily be paid for damage or injury arising in the course of any armed conflict or civil disturbance, nor would compensation be paid to a person, or his personal representatives or dependants, who intentionally caused the nuclear reactor accident which resulted in the damage for which compensation was sought.