§ Mr. Altonasked the Prime Minister whether she will establish a survey to investigate the effects of radiation on service men and the families of service men who have served on board Polaris submarines; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. BiffenI have been asked to reply.
Radiation levels in Polaris, as in all other Royal Navy nuclear powered submarines, are monitored continuously 629W to ensure that they remain at all times within levels recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. These levels have never been exceeded nor has there ever been a leakage of radioactivity which has affected the safety of a submarine crew.
There is no evidence to justify an inquiry of the sort suggested.