§ Miss Fookesasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps urgently to review the use of PVC plastic insulation for electric cables on warships in the light of reports relating to their safety, details of which have been sent to him.
§ Mr. WigginMain wiring on Royal Navy warships is not PVC-covered, although some local and equipment wiring is. The design of ships' compartments seeks to reduce the exposure of PVC-covered wiring to potential fire hazards wherever possible. As part of our continuing effort to improve safety on Royal Navy warships we have co-operated with industry for some years on developing alternative insulation to PVC. As a result a new range of electrical wiring has now been authorised for use in future Royal Navy ships.